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Alberta communities get more than $12 million boost in infrastructure funding
Fifteen communities benefited today from the announcement of $12.1 million in community infrastructure projects approved through the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP).
Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure, and Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development), together with Drew Hutton, MLA for Edmonton Glenora, on behalf of Ed Stelmach, Alberta Minister of Transportation, made the announcement today.
"The Government of Canada recognizes the necessity of developing and maintaining strong infrastructure in our communities," said Minister McLellan. "The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program provides us with the means to build strong communities and improve our quality of life."
"The Government of Alberta is committed to providing quality infrastructure in our communities," said MLA Hutton. "ICAP is grassroots-driven and responds to the infrastructure priorities identified by each community. Municipalities are also represented as full and equal partners on the program's management committee."
The infrastructure projects receiving funding today enhance cultural and recreational facilities, promote safe drinking water, effective wastewater management, safer communities, and sound environmental practices that will benefit Albertans in both rural and urban communities.
Of special significance to Edmonton is $1.3 million funding for restorations to preserve the legacy of nine Civic Historic Sites on the Registry of Historic Resources. These city-owned buildings include the Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre, Ortona Armouries, Strathcona Library, Mill Creek Trestle Bridge, John Walter Houses and Shed, and Hangar 14A.
"This funding announcement is great news for our city," said Mayor Bill Smith. "As we prepare to celebrate Edmonton's centennial in 2004, we will remember the past and look to the future through our historic buildings."
Additional projects in other areas include constructing local drainage infrastructure in Red Deer, installing 65 kilometres of waterline in the Municipal District of Big Lakes and providing the Town of Morinville with a new sewer line.
To date, 550 projects worth approximately $454.5 million have been announced in Alberta under the program. Over the program's life, ICAP will help direct at least $508 million in federal, provincial and municipal funding toward municipal water and wastewater systems, municipal roads, bridges and transit, affordable housing, solid waste disposal and recycling, tourism, cultural or recreation facilities, or projects to improve energy efficiencies of municipal buildings. ICAP is a partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and in some cases, private-sector organizations.
Under ICAP, the federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible costs. Partnering communities provide the remaining one-third of project funding. The federal and provincial governments together provided $6.4 million toward the $12.1 million announced today.
The ICAP Management Committee approves the projects and is composed of representatives from the Governments of Canada and Alberta, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMD&C).
"Infrastructure needs are always great in our member municipalities," said John Trefanenko on behalf of the AUMA. "The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program provides a welcome funding boost to support important infrastructure-related projects."
"The funding support offered by ICAP allows our member municipalities to take on needed infrastructure improvements," said Eugene Wauters on behalf of the AAMD&C. "Infrastructure is a high priority for municipal districts and counties."
The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program agreement was signed
Oct. 10, 2000. Funding for ICAP was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget.
For additional information, contact:
Gordon Eckert
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-3370
ICAP Web site:
http://www.icap-pica.ca/
Mylène Dupéré
Office of Allan Rock
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Trent Bancarz
Communications
Alberta Transportation
Edmonton, Alberta
(780) 427-0623
(In Alberta, dial 310-0000 for toll-free connection outside of Edmonton)
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program
Alberta Fact Sheet
Partnership Program
- The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP) is a partnership involving federal, provincial and municipal governments that also allows for private-sector participation. All three levels of government played an important part in the design of this program.
- In general, each level of government (federal, provincial and municipal) contributes a third of the total eligible costs of any given project. In today’s $12.1 million announcement, federal and provincial contributions total approximately $6.4 million ($3.20 million each) with the municipalities contributing the remainder. For the 550 projects and $454.5 million approved since June 8, 2001, federal and provincial contributions total $256.8 million.
- In Alberta, the program is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Transportation and administered by a joint secretariat.
Grassroots Driven
- ICAP is designed with a bottom-up approach. Accordingly, municipalities play an important role in the program. The majority of projects will address local infrastructure needs identified by the municipalities.
Program Priorities
- ICAP’s first priority is “green” municipal infrastructure. Green infrastructure includes projects related to water and wastewater systems, water management, solid waste management and recycling, and capital expenditures to retrofit or improve the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities owned by local municipalities.
- The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program agreement specifies that a minimum 40 per cent of the total value of all approved projects must be invested in green municipal infrastructure. Green projects in today’s announcement total approximately $9.7 million, or 80.2 per cent.
- Secondary priorities include local transportation, cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure supporting tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed Internet access for local public institutions and affordable housing.
To ensure the infrastructure needs of rural communities are considered, a minimum 26 per cent of total approved costs for all projects in Alberta must be invested in projects proposed by rural municipalities.
|
Location |
Number of Projects |
Combined Federal / Provincial Contribution |
Total Project Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal District of Big Lakes | 1 Project | $1,451,618 | $2,329,848 |
| Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement | 1 Project | $17,194 | $27,596 |
| Village of Chauvin | 1 Project | $12,000 | $37,450 |
| City of Edmonton | 1 Project | $860,000 | $1,328,700 |
| Elizabeth Metis Settlement | 1 Project | $16,100 | $25,840 |
| Fort Edmonton Historical Foundation | 1 Project | $355,842 | $593,071 |
| City of Fort Saskatchewan | 2 Projects | $245,732 | $394,500 |
| Village of Galahad | 1 Project | $38,500 | $61,792 |
| Town of High Level | 1 Project | $128,204 | $205,769 |
| Summer Village of Island Lake South | 1 Project | $9,834 | $15,784 |
| Town of Morinville | 1 Project | $184,606 | $565,000 |
| City of Red Deer | 1 Project | $2,689,648 | $5,820,530 |
| Town of Two Hills | 1 Project | $19,332 | $31,030 |
| Town of Wembley | 1 Project | $37,358 | $119,937 |
| Town of Whitecourt | 1 Project | $342,234 | $549,292 |
| TOTALS | 16 Projects | $ 6,408,202 | $12,106,139 |
Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program Project Details
• = Green Municipal Infrastructure Project
• Municipal District of Big Lakes
River Bend Rural Water Co-op - $2,329,848
Installing about 65 kilometers of waterline will connect 100 rural water users to a safe dependable municipal water supply. This project will also connect an airport and a forestry firebase to the municipal water supply.
Contact Person: John Eriksson, Tel. (780) 523-5955
• Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement
Waste Minimization/Recycling Project - $27,596
Less municipal solid waste will end up in the landfill due to a new multiple-bin trailer for recyclable material. The Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement estimates a reduction of 400 metric tonnes of solid waste per year.
Contact Person: Margaret Daniels, Tel. (780) 689-2170
Village of Chauvin
Construction of Washroom Facility at Kings Park - $37,450
Replacing the outdated washroom structure with a modern, wheelchair accessible facility will allow more residents to enjoy the use of the park.
Contact Person: Betty Swanson, Tel. (780) 858-3881
City of Edmonton
Rehabilitation of Civic Historic Structures - $1,328,700
This project will see the restoration and enhancement of nine city-owned historic buildings; including the Prince of Wales Armories, Ortona Armories, Strathcona Library, Mill Creek Trestle Bridge, John Walter Houses and Shed, and Hangar 14A. The renovations will ensure that these buildings continue their legacy in Edmonton.
Contact Person: Konrad Siu, Tel. (780) 496-5579
Elizabeth Metis Settlement
Cistern Upgrades - $25,840
Public safety around the water reservoir will be improved as a result of upgrades to the facility. The enhancements, which include installation of a back-up power system, will also boost the reliability of water and sewer service.
Contact Person: Ambrose Lepine, Tel. (780) 594-5028
Fort Edmonton Historical Foundation
1920s Carousel Reproduction - $593,071
This hand-carved and hand-painted carousel will serve as the star attraction of the 1920s Midway now under construction at Edmonton's living history museum. A unique hands-on exhibit, the carousel will attract visitors from across Canada and around the world.
Contact Person: Vicki Van Vliet Vaitkunas, Tel. (780) 496-6977
City of Fort Saskatchewan
West River’s Edge Recreational Area Development - $342,300
This project will benefit recreational users by constructing an access roadway connecting Valleyview Ridge to the recreational area and add a trail link to the wetland conservation area.
Contact Person: Gale Katchur, Tel. (780) 992-6229.
City of Fort Saskatchewan
West River’s Edge Boat Launch - $52,200
Construction of a concrete boat launch pad on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River will provide river access for recreational boaters.
Contact Person: Gale Katchur, Tel. (780) 992-6229
• Village of Galahad
Water/Sewer Upgrades - $61,792
Eighty-three households, the hospital and a business will have water meters installed, resulting in reduced water quantities used.
Contact Person: Tara Roggensack, Tel. (780) 583-3741
• Town of High Level
Water Treatment Plant Standby Generator - $205,769
The installation of a back-up generator will provide residents with reliable back up power to ensure water treatment standards are maintained in the event of a power outage.
Contact Person: Diane Hunter, Tel. (780) 926-2201
Summer Village of Island Lake South
Equipment Storage Building - $15,784
This project involves the construction of a garage that will provide sheltered storage for the Zamboni and other related equipment.
Contact Person: Garth Bancroft, Tel. (780) 349-6084
• Town of Morinville
Grandin West Force Main - $565,000
A new sewer line from the Grandin West Lift station to 99 street will reduce the risk of flooding for 540 Morinville households and allow an additional 1,010 future homes to be connected to the municipal wastewater collection and treatment system.
Contact Person: Bob Foster, Tel. (780) 939-4361
• City of Red Deer
2004 East Hill Drainage Improvements Project - $5,820,530
This project is designed to reduce flood risk for people living in the East Hill neighborhood by increasing the effectiveness of the local drainage infrastructure. A storm detention pond and associated diversion trunk, together with the installation of inlet control devices will divert storm water away from family homes.
Contact Person: Eira Romans, Tel. (403) 342-8158
• Town of Two Hills
Water System Upgrades - $31,030
Seniors’ homes, businesses, and 24 households will see the quality of their drinking water increase with upgrades to the town’s water system. Service reliability is also expected to improve and less water will be lost to inefficiencies in the existing system.
Contact Person: Marcia Twerdochlib, Tel. (780) 657-3395
• Town of Wembley
Eastview Subdivision Phase 5 - $119,937
The construction of utilities and roadways in the Eastview Subdivision will connect family homes to safe municipal water and wastewater collection and treatment systems. This project includes the placement of mains and sewers, a storm retention pond, road surfaces with curbs and gutters, power lines and street lights. The installation of this basic infrastructure will also prepare an additional 18 lots for future development.
Contact Person: Karen Steinke, Tel. (780) 766-2269
• Town of Whitecourt
Fire Hall Upgrade - $549,292
This project is to construct a 3,500 sq ft addition to the existing fire hall to house additional fire equipment. The project is also to renovate the existing space including upgrades to the electrical and heating systems. Additional storage and gear lockers for the firefighters will also be added. This will improve safety in the community by decreasing the response time for emergency vehicles.
Contact Person: Drew Hadfield, Tel. (780) 778-2273
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