FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/16/12 -- Today, David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay - Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced $14,722 in federal funding for playground improvements under the Harper Government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

"Our Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in our communities," said MP Wilks. "By improving facilities such as this, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for young Canadians."

With this investment, the Columbia Ridge Community Association will upgrade the neighbourhood playground with five new pieces of equipment, a larger sandbox and four picnic tables which are expected to be installed this month.

"The residents in Columbia Ridge Estates are grateful for the support in the betterment of our community," said Wendy Coombs, Director, Columbia Ridge Community Association. "It is important to create better environments for our children and better children for our environments! Fabulous outdoor spaces that inspire creativity and facilitate healthy exercise and living are a great place to start. The CIIF funding has made this possible."

CIIF supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure accessible to the public. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.

Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating small and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity

Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.

A stronger West. A stronger Canada.

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

BACKGROUNDER

Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund

Through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), the Harper Government has committed to supporting communities and creating jobs through repairs and improvements to existing community facilities over the next two years. The Fund is being delivered by the regional development agencies across Canada. In Western Canada, Western Economic Diversification is delivering over $46 million towards eligible projects.

The construction of new infrastructure and repairs to facilities that are primarily for commercial or for-profit activities are ineligible. Facilities must be accessible for use by the public and not limited to a private membership. All projects are required to be completed by March 31, 2014.

Organizations eligible to apply for funding under CIIF include:

--  local or regional governments or related agencies; 
--  provincial entities that provide municipal-type services to communities;
--  non-profit organizations; and 
--  First Nation governments, including Band or Tribal Councils or their
    legally-designated representatives. 

Examples of the type of community infrastructure that can be supported under CIIF include:

--  community centres; 
--  cultural centres; 
--  parks; 
--  libraries; 
--  recreational facilities (e.g. local arenas, swimming pools, sports
    fields, and other types of recreational facilities); 
--  tourism facilities having a local impact; and 
--  other existing community infrastructure assets which have a local
    community impact such as connectivity and broadband and local airports. 

Please refer to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund website for more information.