Winnipeg, MB - Representatives from the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg today celebrated the reopening of the Weston Memorial Community Centre, following facility improvements undertaken through the Building Communities Initiatives (BCI) II fund.
The facility improvements to the Weston Memorial Community Centre include a completely remodeled kitchen and canteen, several new multi-purpose rooms, a new common area, and new washrooms. The improvements enhance the community centre’s accessibility and enrich the facility’s space for new and existing programming.
“In this facility, we again see how a community can come together and revitalize their neighborhood,” said Minister Caldwell. “This is another great example of local infrastructure investments that are transforming our province for Manitoba families.”
“I’m happy to be here today to celebrate the City’s contribution and ongoing commitment to investing in community centres,” said Scott Gillingham, City Councillor for St. James-Brookslands-Weston. “The Weston Memorial Community Centre will be more accessible to residents and will have the capacity to host more programming so that those in the community can continue to use and enjoy the facility for years to come.”
Through BCI Phase Two, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg invested $850,000 in the Weston facility improvements.
About the Building Communities Initiatives (BCI):
The BCI partnership is a multi-year cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg. BCI II will provide $23.8 million to support community revitalization through improvements to 121 local infrastructure initiatives in targeted older neighbourhoods and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city.
Phase One of BCI II provided $10 million between 2010 and 2014. All 38 of these approved projects under the first phase have been completed.
Phase Two of BCI II will provide an additional $10 million between 2013 and 2015. An additional 51 projects have been approved under Phase Two, with 27 having been completed so far.
Phase Three of BCI II will provide an additional $3.8 million. 60 per cent of the funding for this phase is provided by the City of Winnipeg and 40 per cent is contributed by the Province of Manitoba. 32 have been approved under Phase Three, with 12 having been completed thus far.
BCI II projects include improving athletic fields, playgrounds, skate parks, spray and splash pads, basketball and tennis courts, lighting, seating, pathways in parks and upgrades of community centres.