/EINPresswire.com/ -- RED DEER, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Jan 20, 2017) - Western Economic Diversification Canada

The communities of Red Deer, Ponoka, Olds, and Delburne will receive a total of $919,157 through the Government of Canada's Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program and Canada 150 Fund to help communities modernize local recreation facilities, as well as improve social and cultural infrastructure and programs.

Both of the funding programs are part of Canada 150 Celebrates, the Government of Canada's celebration of our country's 150^th anniversary of Confederation. Budget 2016 provided an additional $150 million over two years to Canada's Regional Development Agencies to invest in local improvements to communities across the country.

Through investments in community, social and cultural infrastructure and programs, the Government of Canada is supporting the legacy of many Canadians who have invested their time, energy and spirit into improving the cultural and recreational opportunities for people of all ages within their communities.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes that cultural and recreational activities bring communities together and contributes to our overall health and well-being. The renewed facilities and programs not only respond to the demand for community infrastructure improvements, but also provide us with an opportunity to celebrate the people of this great country."

- Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada; and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Backgrounder

Government of Canada invests in central Alberta's community infrastructure

Announcement by Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and MP (Edmonton Centre) on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development.

Canada 150 Fund (Department of Canadian Heritage)

The Government of Canada established the Canada 150 Fund to create opportunities for Canadians to participate in local, regional and national celebrations that will provide lasting legacies for future generations.

With a budget of $200 million, the Canada 150 Fund has allowed hundreds of organizations to submit funding applications for activities that will mark the 150^th anniversary of Confederation.

Organization		Project		Location		Federal Funding
Red Deer and District Museum Society		Red Deer Mosaic		Red Deer, Alberta		$40,000
Red Deer Native Friendship Society		Celebrating Canada's Strong Indigenous Culture		Red Deer, Alberta		$48,000
Town of Olds		Eye of the Lens Canada - A Digital Story		Olds, Alberta		$35,000

Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (Department of Western Economic Diversification)

Budget 2016 provided an additional $150 million over two years to Canada's Regional Development Agencies to invest in local improvements to communities across the country, starting in 2016-17. A total of $46.2 million was allocated for projects across Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). WD is responsible for administering the program in the West.

Organization		Project		Location		Federal Funding
Delburne Curling Club Society		Upgrade the curling rink		Delburne, Alberta		$81,905
The City of Red Deer		Upgrade the Discovery Canyon Water Park		Red Deer, Alberta		$500,000
Town of Olds		Upgrade Centennial Park		Olds, Alberta		$104,252
Town of Ponoka		Upgrade Ponoka Arena Complex		Ponoka, Alberta		$110,000

TOTAL FEDERAL INVESTMENT ANNOUNCED: $919,157

Stay Connected

Twitter: @WD_Canada, @MinisterISED, @CdnHeritage, @canada150th

Hashtags: #Canada150

Website: Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canadian Heritage, Canada 150

Facebook: @canada150th

Instagram: @canada150

WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)

TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

Additional Links

Government of Canada Announces Support for Community Infrastructure in Alberta

Backgrounder: The 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017

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