Métis Settlement of Peavine receives Infrastructure Funding for Community Arena

May 20, 2008

Métis Settlement of Peavine, Alberta – The Métis Settlement of Peavine will be able to equip its local community arena, thanks to a joint federal and provincial investment, through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).

The investment of $1.8 million was announced today by Brian Jean, MP for Fort McMurray-Athabasca and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Pearl Calahasen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lesser Slave Lake.

“Investing in this arena is an investment in the quality of life for the residents of the Metis Settlement of Peavine“, said Parliamentary Secretary Brian Jean. “Our government is pleased to provide this community with increased access to fitness, recreational and social opportunities through this long-term infrastructure investment.”

The facility will offer increased recreational opportunities and improved access to programs that promote the athletic development for residents. The community’s population, in which 44 per cent residents are under the age of 19, will also benefit from the expanded availability of the arena to a greater number of residents.

“This investment in Peavine’s arena will provide the community with a sense of pride as well as an improved quality of life,” said MLA Pearl Calahasen. “The enhancements will lead to increased physical activity that will contribute to the health and well-being of the whole area.”

Under the initial CAMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $88 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs. In April 2007, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta each provided an additional $19 million to the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. The total amount available from the CAMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is $321 million.

A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets green infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism, cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.