SUN PEAKS, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/17/12 -- Today, Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for improvements to sports facilities and trail systems in Sun Peaks, 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 McLeod. "By improving facilities such as this, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for Canadians."

With the over $100,000 in funding being provided, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality will be able to upgrade and expand their community sports field, resurface their tennis courts and improve the valley trail system, including the installation of information signage. The result will be an improved, and safer, recreational experience for local residents as well as visitors.

"The Sun Peaks recreation facility upgrades will better serve both our community and regional visitors," said Mayor of Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality Al Raine. "These improvements will provide safer and expanded fitness opportunities for Sun Peaks school children. We plan to have the $200,000 in improvements in place by mid summer 2013."

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.

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A stronger West. A stronger Canada.

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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.