The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitoba children and families will have more opportunities to get active as a result of a $9 million investment to enhance and upgrade recreation facilities, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton announced Wednesday.Ê The investment, an extension of the Rural/Northern Municipal Recreation Fund is a part of the Manitoba governmentÕs commitment to doubling funding to over $60 million over four years to improve recreation centres, community clubs and soccer fields. ÒSports bring families and friends together and are important to improving our overall quality of life,Ó Ashton said, at the Municipal Officials Seminar. Ê ÒThis program has been well received and our investment responds to requests from municipalities for increased support for recreation facilities.Ó The 2006 provincial budget established a new Municipal Recreation Fund as part of the Building Manitoba Fund, with $7.4 million in provincial funding committed over three years for recreation and library facility projects in rural and northern Manitoba. Ê Through the Building Manitoba Fund, municipalities receive a share of provincial income and fuel taxes Ð revenues that grow with the economy Ð to support their infrastructure and service-delivery needs.Ê This second phase of the Municipal Recreation Fund will maintain the current efficient program delivery mechanisms using existing Community Places and Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure application processes, said Ashton. Ê Eligible projects include construction or improvements to recreation and wellness facilities such as recreation centres, community halls, parks, libraries, arenas and pools.Ê ÒThis investment also reinforces our commitment to supporting recreation in rural and northern Manitoba,Ó said Ashton, adding the funding will be available to enhance recreation opportunities for youth in seven Neighbourhoods Alive! communities outside Winnipeg.
