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CITIES: Province contribute funding for community projects in Banff and Rimbey
        (AlbertaIndex, January 23, Wednesday) --- The Alberta government will help fund important projects in the towns of Banff and Rimbey.
        The federal and provincial governments will jointly invest $6 million, pending an environmental assessment, in the initial phase of construction of a new community centre in the Banff.

The new community centre will provide Banff residents with the opportunity to participate in programs that promote healthy living and community involvement. Builders will use modern construction techniques and state-of-the-art technology and include energy saving designs and devices into the building.

The facility is also designed to host national and international events, thus raising Banff’s attractiveness.

The investment was announced by Myron Thompson, MP for Wild Rose, on behalf of Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Janis Tarchuk, Minister of Children’s Services and MLA for Banff-Cochrane. The project will be paid for by the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).

“The construction of the new Banff Community Centre is an investment in the quality of life for the residents of Banff and the surrounding communities,” said MP Thompson. “We are pleased to provide these communities with increased access to fitness, recreational and social opportunities through this long-term infrastructure investment.”

“The new community centre will bring Banff area residents together for shared activities and events and help them lead healthy lifestyles,” said Tarchuk. “Support for community facilities reflects Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to secure Alberta’s future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity.”

Under the initial CAMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $88 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs.

This year, the governments of Canada and Alberta have each provided an additional $19 million to CAMRIF as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs.

The total amount available from CAMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is $321 million.

A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets green infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism, cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity.  Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.

The provincial government said it is contributing $430,000 to the expansion of the Central Alberta Raceways at the Rimbey Kinsmen Motorsports Park.

Started in 2003, Central Alberta Raceways hosts a number of racing events each year and attracts over 15,000 racers and racing fans from across the province and Western Canada.

“Whether it’s on the snow or on the track, racing is a sport enjoyed by Albertans all year round,” said Hector Goudreau, Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture. “We are pleased to support a project that will provide thrills and excitement for local spectators and visitors from around the world.”

The $430,000 grant will go towards the expansion of the racing venue and construction of a new paved track.  The total project cost is an estimated $869,000 and is part of a long range development plan to make the Rimbey Motorsports Park a premier multi-motor sport racing venue in Western Canada.

Funds for the expansion are being provided as part of the government’s Major Community Facilities Program. This two-year, $280-million lottery-funded program, helps municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and Aboriginal communities plan, upgrade or build major public-use facilities that enhance community life.

“This new track is estimated to be one of the longest paved drag racing tracks in Alberta,” said Ray Prins, MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka. “We hope this expansion will help draw more than double the number of people that come to the Raceways each year.”

Jeff Makofka, President of the Rimbey Kinsmen Club, said: “Our community project has come a long way and we will now be able to get into the next gear.  The community support has been outstanding and with these new funds we can proceed with the completion of a new drag strip for Alberta.”


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