Canada and Alberta support new community space for residents of Water Valley

WATER VALLEY, AB, April 5, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Alberta recognize that investing in recreational infrastructure is key to creating dynamic and healthy communities where neighbours can come together, families can participate in sports and hobbies, and residents can access much-needed community resources.

Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ricardo Miranda, Alberta Minister of Culture and Tourism, announced $475,862 in joint federal-provincial funding for the construction of a new community centre in Water Valley.

Work involves replacing the existing building with a structure nearly twice its size. The facility will feature an expanded theatre and banquet hall, a commercial kitchen and accessible washrooms. The parking lot and landscaping will also be improved and wheel-chair accessible ramps installed at the front, west and east entrances.

With these upgrades more residents of Water Valley and the surrounding region will be able to attend community functions?from dance classes to safety seminars and local festivals?in an inclusive barrier-free space.

Quotes

"The new community centre in Water Valley will create a hub for community gatherings, sports and recreation, and educational activities that will help local residents thrive for years to come. Our Government is proud to be responding to the needs of municipalities and investing in infrastructure to support economic development, create good middle-class jobs and improve the quality of life in communities across Alberta."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Community centres are important for creating the bonds that keep communities together and provide opportunities for citizens to recreate, celebrate and share culture. The Government of Alberta was proud to help support Water Valley and region with funding through the Community Facility Enhancement Program in 2016-17. It's part of our investment in Alberta communities and the social and economic well-being of all Albertans. We look forward to seeing the project move forward."

The Honourable Ricardo Miranda, Alberta Minister of Culture and Tourism

"Water Valley Community Association is excited to be partnering with Governments of Canada and Alberta and Mountain View County to build our new community center. After 15 years and hundreds of fundraising events, it is great to see our project being built! This will enable us to expand the types of activities that we will be able to offer our members. I want to thank all levels of government and our fantastic volunteers for making this possible!"

Harold Baxandall, President of Water Valley Community Association

"Mountain View County is proud to provide funding for the Water Valley Community Hall and to work with our fellow government partners to ensure this valuable community asset is seen through to completion. We believe that infrastructure such as this hall helps rural communities remain strong and vibrant by hosting events, meetings and community gatherings."

Greg Harris, Councillor Division 2 (Cremona, Water Valley), Mountain View County

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is contributing $175,862 to this project through the Building Canada Fund?Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component: National and Regional Projects, while the Government of Alberta is providing $300,000. Mountain View County is contributing $50,000 toward the total project cost, while the Water Valley Community Association is providing the remaining $875,305.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $25.3 billion of this funding will support social (including recreation and culture) infrastructure in Canadian communities.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/ab-eng.html

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cities-villes-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada