Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface-Saint-Vital, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; and the Honourable Reg Helwer, Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services, announced $13 million in federal and provincial funding for recreation facilities in five Manitoba communities.
Among these projects, God's Lake Narrows First Nation will build a new energy-efficient indoor hockey skating arena, including a multi-purpose space that will meet the recreational and social needs of the community.
The Rural Municipality of Headingley will benefit from a 12,000 square foot addition to the existing community centre. The expansion will include the addition of a gymnasium and a meeting space to support community sports, gatherings, and meetings for local groups.
The Rural Municipality of Rosedale will benefit from the completion of the Kelwood Community Skating Rink project. This project will complete the interior with new plumbing, electrical, flooring, and heating system installations as well as a kitchen and washroom facilities. Finishing touches outside will include landscaping and parking lot resurfacing.
Joint funding will also help develop a new Activity Centre in the Rural Municipality of St. Clements, which will include the construction of a multi-purpose building and enhancements to the adjacent multi-use park, providing the community with more options to stay active and connect with one another.
Furthermore, the Ste. Agathe Red River Access Project will see the addition of a community dock and boat launch at a historic river crossing in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot that will provide increased access to the Red River and allow residents and visitors to explore and enjoy their favourite water activities.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $9.8 million in these projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program's Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream and Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream. The Government of Manitoba is investing over $3.1 million. First Nation and municipal contributions total more than $4.6 million towards eligible project costs. Funding for the God's Lake Narrows First Nation Arena is conditional on the completion of all environmental requirements.
