DAUPHIN - Dauphin’s community revitalization efforts received a boost today as Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton announced funding for the first projects in this new Neighbourhoods Alive! community.

 

“These first-time projects will create new recreational opportunities for young and old alike, as well as support housing options and benefit community events in Dauphin,” said Ashton.  “However, local leadership and ideas are what will drive the realization of this community renewal.”

 

Dauphin’s Interim Advisory Committee, made up of municipal officials, business owners, representatives of community organizations and local residents, has developed a five-year neighbourhood renewal plan, identifying local priorities.

 

Neighbourhoods Alive! has committed $225,000 over three years in core funding for the Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation and $152,860 for 10 Neighbourhood Renewal Fund projects in Dauphin:

·        The Dauphin and District Community Development Corporation received $49,500 for the Community Planning and Co-ordination Project to co-ordinate ongoing revitalization efforts and $18,660 to develop a feasibility study for its skate park project.

·        Dauphin Magical Horizons Day Care received $25,600 for daycare furnishings to enhance the facility so it can better serve local children and families.

·        The Canadian Mental Health Association received $10,000 for its Housing for At-Risk Residents project that will provide surveillance and an on-call system allowing at-risk individuals to be safely housed in its emergency shelter.

·        The Dauphin Church for Christ received $10,000 for the DART (Dauphin At-Risk Teen) project co‑ordinating case planning by multiple agencies to support 25 at-risk youth to stay in school or secure employment. 

·        The Kinette Club of Dauphin received $4,000 for the Kirby Park revitalization to install a new play structure.

·        The Dauphin Friendship Centre received $3,100 for the graffiti cleanup project involving local youth in graffiti removal and the development of murals.

·        The Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce received $5,000 for the Winter Lights Festival and $2,000 for the Dauphin Street Fair.

·        The Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation received $25,000 to establish a small grants fund to provide local community groups up to $5,000 per project that encourages community building and interaction.

 

This year, Neighbourhoods Alive! also introduced a new program called Community Youth Recreation (CYR).  The program provided $14,285 to the City of Dauphin to create a new after-school program and expand the 2009 summer playground program.

 

“Neighbourhoods Alive! looks forward to a long-term partnership working with the Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation,” added Ashton.

 

In 2007, Neighbourhoods Alive! expanded to five new communities including Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, The Pas and Flin Flon.  Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term, community-based, social and economic-development strategy supporting and encouraging community-driven revitalization efforts in designated communities.

 

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