January 20, 2005
BRANDON, Manitoba – The expansion and upgrading of the existing Keystone Centre in Brandon will provide a new multi-functional facility that will include the addition of an Agricultural Centre of Excellence with $15 million in funding from the new Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
The Honourable Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba,
and the Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister
responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen
Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State
(Sport), made the joint announcement today. The Keystone Centre’s Agricultural
Centre of Excellence is the first project funded under the new Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund.
“Rural Manitobans visit the Keystone Centre and use its diverse facilities to network, learn about innovations and improve their agricultural operations. This project demonstrates the kind of benefit that the new $120 million Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund can provide in our rural communities,” said Premier Doer. “Our province initially committed $2.8 million for Keystone and we are pleased to be able to come through with the remaining $2.2 million to ensure the centre can operate successfully for many years to come. This is on top of the $610,000 in funding for a new roof at the Centre and brings our total commitment to over $5.6 million.”
“The Keystone
Centre is Manitoba’s largest year-round multi-functional facility for sporting,
hospitality, agricultural and cultural events. With the development of the
Agricultural Centre of Excellence we have the opportunity to expand and upgrade
the existing facility to ensure the Centre remains an invaluable resource to
the City of Brandon and all of Manitoba for many years to come,” said Minister
Alcock. “This Centre will not only meet the social, recreational and economic
development needs of the City of Brandon but will contribute to the entire
western region of Manitoba.”
“Today’s announcement in Brandon clearly illustrates how governments working together can deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to Manitoba communities,” said Minister Owen. “By renewing Manitoba’s infrastructure we will improve public services, build strong, sustainable communities and provide a quality of life that is second to none.”
“The Keystone centre is a hub of activity in Brandon, the surrounding area and all of southwest Manitoba,” said the Honourable Scott Smith, Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister. “This includes agricultural, social and competitive events that are crucial to the well-being of the community”.
Under the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Programs funded under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, both levels of government and applicants will fund projects equally. The governments of Canada and Manitoba will each contribute $5 million to the construction of the new Agricultural Centre of Excellence and upgrades for the Keystone Centre’s existing infrastructure. The Keystone Agricultural and Recreational Centre Inc. will fund the remaining one-third cost of $5 million.
“We’re very pleased that the development of the new Agricultural Centre of Excellence is becoming a reality”, said Tim Silversides, President of Keystone Centre. “The new facility will enable the Centre to host more events, more efficiently and will ensure the Keystone Centre continues to serve all of Manitoba for years to come.”
The proposed new Agricultural Centre of Excellence will be a major
multi-functional facility that will include the development of a
100,000-square-foot building with a show ring and seating for up to 700
people. The show ring will be built to
accommodate events such as rodeos, cattle sales, 4-H shows and sales, major
equestrian competitions and a variety of sales and clinics. The building will
also house stabling facilities with 175 stalls, a wash rack, washrooms,
canteen/office space and connecting corridors to the existing facility.
Improvements to the existing
Keystone Centre will include replacing some of the facility’s heating,
ventilation, air conditioning and roofing, and upgrading safety, electrical and
building systems as well as the building exterior.
All Manitoba local governments, non-profit and private sector organizations are eligible to apply for support for local infrastructure projects under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. A consultative committee, including members from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and the Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC), will review applications received from across Manitoba and make funding recommendations. Additional information on the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund can be found on the attached backgrounder.
More information on Government of Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects can be found at www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.infrastructure.mb.ca.
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BACKGROUNDER
THE
MUNICIPAL RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND IN MANITOBA
Project support: $120 million
The Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Programs,
funded in part under the federal Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF),
will invest $120 million in communities across Manitoba over five years.
The Governments of Canada and Manitoba are each
investing $41 million, with matching project funding to come from local
governments.
The need for this fund is clear. Municipal
leaders consistently identify infrastructure as their most pressing issue. Many municipalities must repair or replace
roads, water and sewage systems that were put in place decades ago. In high-growth areas, transportation routes
are growing congested and municipal services are straining to keep up with
demand.
Through MRIF and other infrastructure programs,
the Governments of Canada and Manitoba enable municipalities to undertake infrastructure
enhancements that otherwise might remain stalled for years.
Cleaner air and water
The MRIF includes a strong “green” element. At
least 40 per cent of the fund will support projects that lead to cleaner air
and water. These can include improvements
to local systems for water, wastewater, solid waste, and environmental energy
improvements to municipal buildings. Public transit projects also count as
“green,” as they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars.
The fund also provides for investment in other
categories such as local roads, better Internet connections, and projects that
promote local culture, recreation and tourism.
Program eligibility and application information
All Manitoba local governments are eligible to
apply for funding under MRIF and 80 per cent will be going to communities of
less than 250,000 people. All project
proposals will need to be supported by a municipal resolution. Not-for-profit and private-sector
organizations are also eligible for funding with supportive resolutions from
the local government where the project would be located and the organization’s
board of directors.
Applicants are able to submit an application
on-line at http://www.infrastructure.mb.ca. Interactive CD and paper applications are
also available upon request through the Secretariat by calling (204) 945-1906
or toll-free to 1-800-268-4883. The
Secretariat can also be reached by e-mail at infra@gov.mb.ca.
Projects will be selected in a competitive, merit-based manner and in accordance with the mandatory screening and ranking criteria of the project category. These criteria are available at http://www.infrastructure.mb.ca.
Efficient management
The joint Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure
Secretariat will continue to manage MRIF, process applications and correspond
with applicants and recipients through its single-window program delivery
model.
A consultative committee of local government
officials will evaluate applications and provide recommendations to the
federal-provincial Management Committee for their consideration. The local officials include representatives
of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and the Northern
Association of Community Councils (NACC).
The joint Secretariat was established to
administer an earlier and similar program, the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure
Program (http://www.infrastructure.mb.ca).
MRIF
The $1 billion Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund was announced in the 2003 federal budget as a 10-year program. Earlier this year, the Government of Canada
moved MRIF to a five-year timeline to respond more quickly to the needs of
smaller communities across the country.
MRIF helps balance support for smaller communities with other programs such as the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), a $4-billion program that mostly supports bigger projects in larger cities. Through CSIF, the Government of Canada announced a $120-million commitment to the expansion of the Red River Floodway. MRIF helps ensure that Canadians benefit from investments in improving the quality of life.