The federal government is finally trumpeting its funding to projects that were completed in several local communities.
In a press release from Monday, the federal government announced $403,000 worth of funding towards infrastructure projects in the area.
Part of the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, seven projects received a chunk of the funding, six of which are in the Kootenay Region. One local organization that benefitted from the federal funding was the Salmo Valley Youth and Community Centre.
Laurie MacDonald, executive director of the Salmo Valley Youth and Community Centre Society, was quoted as saying their $115,000 portion of the grant allowed the centre to improve both inside and out.
“We were able to transform spaces in our facility to increase participation in our programs and we were able to modify our entry way to become more handicap accessible,” she said. “The Salmo Valley Youth and Community Centre is so grateful for the support from the Western Economic Diversification Canada's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.”
In Trail, $100,000 was awarded for 225 new lockers at the Aquatic and Leisure Centre. The work was completed during the centre's 2013 annual end-of-summer maintenance.
Out at the Trail Regional Airport, 800 feet of pavement was laid for stop ways by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary in early 2013 with $100,000 of grant money after increasing air service to and from Vancouver.
Creekside Community Park in Fruitvale added a switchback pathway and hard surface walkway, installed handrails and improved vehicle access with the village's $39,650 portion of the funds.
For $17,800, new playground equipment benches and landscaping were put in at the Community Centre in Procter.
Rock Creek and Boundary Fair Association received $45,300 for new bleachers and fairground maintenance.
In the Okanagan, the Osoyoos International Curling Club spent $1,700 replacing their exterior windows.
Michelle Rempel, the Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, says the government was happy to provide the funding for communities in southern B.C.
“Our government is pleased to support community infrastructure projects in BC's Thompson Okanagan and Kootenay regions,” she said in Monday's release. “Families and communities are already benefitting from these improved facilities, which provide a lasting legacy for communities across southern British Columbia.”
The infrastructure improvement initiatives are part of the federal government's 2012 Economic Action Plan, promising $150 million to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. In Western Canada, the fund distributed $46.2 million dollars over the last two years.