The town is throwing in four projects for a grant application hoping to get some funding through a federal grant program.
Called the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP), it is intended to celebrate 150 years of Canada, explained Wes Amendt, director of community services during the regular meeting of council Tuesday, June 14.
“Some of our current capital projects are eligible for this program,” said Amendt.
The Government of Canada is pumping $150 million over two years and municipalities, fundraiser groups and associations are all working to take advantage of the grant that allows for recreational and cultural buildings, as well as playgrounds and tourism buildings.
The town is throwing in four projects in the hat, which requires 50/50 matching costs that have yet to be accounted for in the town’s 2017 budget, but would ensure a cheaper cost to the projects. Another advantage of the CIP grant program is that applicants can use other awarded grants such as the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) or Federal Gas Tax Fund in their applications.
The four projects are a mix of plans with priority being placed from one to four. Each one would receive matching funds, essentially doubling the town’s dollars:
First: The recently approved playground replacement project with Westview Park and Co-op Park playgrounds. The town is applying for $473,000 with the matching amount coming from MSI and some reserve funds. To do that $160,000 intended for the town’s pavement program, from the gas tax fund, was reallocated to the project.
Second: Trail development was moved as a second priority with the town requesting $100,000, initially the proposed amount was for $68,000, but Coun. Teri Underhill requested it be increased.
Third: The Aquaplex roof replacement was given third priority with a total project cost of $365,000. The town’s portion would be $200,000 from MSI funds and the remaining to come from the CIP grant.
Fourth: The arena upgrade project was given fourth priority with a total project cost of $253,000, which consists of a mix of approved and unforeseen projects.
Coun. Teri Underhill amended the motion for the second request for trail development. Initially the trails were ranked as third priority but she wanted to see that change after hearing there was no major plan in place to improve the trail system.
“We’re not going to get funding for a trail system that we don’t have a plan for,” offered Carla Prediger.
Despite the change, and not having a plan set, Amendt suggested one could be put together if needed.