If any club has shovel ready projects, please read below

On July 5, 2012, The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced the launch of the new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) in the West. Community facilities, such as local arenas, community centres, and sports fields, are now eligible for repairs and upgrades through the Fund. This national program provides $150 million over two years to be delivered by regional development agencies across the country. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.

Through the Fund, WD will support, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure that is open and accessible to the public. Local, regional and First Nation governments, as well as not-for-profit organizations with projects that can be completed before March 31, 2014 are invited to apply for funding.

The deadline to apply is August 2, 2012. There will be a second call for applications in November and additional intakes if funding is available. For details on project eligibility and how to submit an application, please refer to WD’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund website.

WD works to create jobs and economic growth for Western Canada. By promoting new economic opportunities, WD is securing a more diverse and prosperous future for the West while advancing western interests at the national level.

For more information, contact:

WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378) WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca Email Enquiries:[email protected]

Sincerely,

WD-BC Region

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Here is an extract from the website referred to in this message:

What kinds of projects are eligible for funding?

CIIF supports the rehabilitation or improvement of existing community infrastructure that is non-commercial and accessible to the public. Examples of the type of community infrastructure that can be supported under CIIF include:

· community centres;

· cultural centres;

· parks;

· libraries;

· recreational facilities (e.g. local arenas, swimming pools, sports fields, and other types of recreational facilities);

· tourism facilities having a local impact; and

· other existing community infrastructure assets which have a local community impact such as connectivity and broadband and local airports.

Eligible projects will also:

· leverage at least 50% of total eligible project costs from other sources than the federal government;

· complete all work prior to March 31, 2014.

The construction of new infrastructure and the significant expansion of existing infrastructure are not eligible under CIIF.