The Town of Bonnyville is asking The Federal Government for grant funding to upgrade the skatepark. In early spring, Town Council spoke with the middle school population at Dr. Brosseau and H.E. Bourgoin schools in Bonnyville and discovered that there was an overwhelming interest in upgrading the skatepark.
Referring to the skatepark, Mayor of Bonnyville, Gene Sobolewski says,”that was a major concern for the kids at Dr. B and HEB.” The Mayor continues, “we do want to do something for the youths.” That, coupled with the release of a new federal grant program, The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program Legacy Grant, fueled the town to investigate options to fund the project explains Mayor of Bonnyville Gene Sobolewski, “the Federal Government has issued some grants that you can apply for very quickly.”
“There are two components,” explains Mayor Sobolewski, “one is for under $250 000 and then one that’s over $250 000 to half a million dollars.” The grant is a 50-50 grant, basically meaning the Federal Government could potentially match whatever funding is already in place for the project.
Town Council also has plans to apply for funding to upgrade “tot lots”, or small playgrounds that are scattered throughout Bonnyville.
Here’s the Press Release on The GrantÂ
Canadians have a deep and enduring pride in their communities. In recognition of this, the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program aims to leave a lasting legacy to Canadians as part of the celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary by investing in community infrastructure. The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will support projects that celebrate our shared heritage, create jobs and improve the quality of life of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
As the objective of this program is to ensure a lasting legacy resulting from Canada 150, in Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia), strong preference will be given to projects that are undertaking meaningful upgrades to existing cultural and community facilities; upgrades that will provide long-term benefits to a community, will be viewed with pride by a community, and are recognized as a lasting legacy from Canada 150. Examples of the type of community infrastructure that can be supported include: • Community centres (including legions); • Cultural centres and museums; • Parks, recreational trails such as fitness trails, bike paths and other types of trails; • Libraries; • Recreational facilities including local arenas, gymnasia, swimming pools, sports fields, tennis, basketball, volleyball or other sport-specific courts or other types of recreational facilities; • Tourism facilities; • Docks; • Cenotaphs; and, • Other existing community infrastructure for public benefit.
Eligible projects must meet the following criteria: • The amount of funding being requested under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program cannot exceed 50% of the total costs of a project, up to a maximum of $500,000. • The maximum contribution from ALL Government of Canada sources (including the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program and other sources such as the Gas Tax Fund) cannot exceed 50% of the total costs of a project; • Be for the rehabilitation, renovation, or expansion of existing infrastructure for public use or benefit; • Be community-oriented, non-commercial in nature and open for use to the public and not limited to a private membership; • Be for facilities located in Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba); and, • Be materially complete by March 31, 2018. o A project is considered to be materially complete when a substantial part of the improvement is ready for use or is being used for the purposes intended; costs for activities such as parking, paving, landscaping, exterior/interior finishes are potentially excluded from the definition of substantial completion. In addition, an applicant must: • Submit a fully complete application form by June 17, 2015 (and all mandatory attachments – see Section 4.4); and, • Be available for follow-up from June – August 2015.
The grant is open to all groups and there is no limit to how many groups can apply. The grant is also not limited to Bonnyville and open to all municipalities.