Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg families will soon benefit from new and renewed recreation options in their local neighbourhood, through the Building Communities Initiative II (BC II) that will see funding for 34 new community improvement projects, Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux and Mayor Sam Katz today announced at the Mayfair Recreation Centre.
“These projects are vital to the continued health and well-being of Winnipeg residents who rely on community facilities for safe, inclusive recreation options,” said Lemieux. “The 37 projects that were approved during Phase One of BCI II are already showing significant benefits in numerous communities across Winnipeg. Our goal is to keep working with the city and community stakeholders to provide these kinds of benefits to even more neighbourhoods over the next two years.”
The province and city will contribute a total of $ 7,635,000 in funding towards BCI II Phase Two. Additional projects will be approved in the coming months to bring the funding total for this second phase of the initiative to $10 million.
“The City of Winnipeg wants to provide all of our citizens with safe, accessible recreation options,” said Katz. “Initiatives and partnerships like these are crucial and allow us to upgrade and maintain our facilities. Residents throughout the city can look forward to improved amenities and expanded programming at their local parks and community centres.”
The BCI II partnership is a multi-year, cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg. The goal of BCI II is to support community revitalization through improvements to local community infrastructure in targeted older neighbourhoods and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city. The projects supported through BCI II increase community confidence and attract, support and help retain local residents and businesses.
Under Phase Two of BCI II, the Mayfair Recreation Centre redevelopment site will receive a total of $1.1 million for expansion and upgrades. The site was already approved for $200,000 under Phase One of BCI II and will receive an additional $800,000 from the City of Winnipeg Capital Fund for a total of $2.1 million to be used in 2013.
Phase One of BCI II funding provided a total of $10 million between 2010 and 2013. Of the 37 approved projects under the first phase, 31 have been completed, with the remaining six to be completed in the 2013 construction season. Projects included improving athletic fields, playgrounds and structures, splash pads, lighting, seating, pathways in parks, upgrades and expansion of community centres. Projects are selected in consultation with key stakeholders and community groups.
Program implementation updates will be posted on the City of Winnipeg’s website. Links to this site will also appear on the Manitoba Local Government website.