LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help the Elkwater Community Association strengthen economic opportunities in the region.

“I am pleased to announce our Government’s support for the construction of a new community hall” said Payne, Member of Parliament for the Medicine Hat constituency.  “Investments such as this are creating and protecting jobs, supporting Canadians who have lost their jobs, helping threatened industries, and laying the foundations for our future prosperity. This is an important project for the Elkwater community in our constituency,” added Payne.

Federal funding is enabling the Elkwater Community Association to construct a larger, more modern community hall to replace its current 55 year-old building. As the only community hall in the region, the facility is a cornerstone of community activity that brings people together for various events such as fundraisers, seminars, meetings, family occasions, and other gatherings. The project will create immediate job opportunities during construction, while also providing long-term benefits for the local economy by allowing the hall to host larger events and attract more visitors.

“Cypress County is pleased to support the Elkwater Community Association with its new community hall project,” said George Russill, Councillor for Cypress County. “Because the hall is located in the Cypress Hills Provincial Park, which attracts 250,000 people a year, it is in a prime location for conferences, meetings, receptions and all other functions.”

Federal funding of $360,000 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Cypress County is also providing $250,000 towards developing the new facility, while the Province of Alberta is contributing $165,000 through the Community Facility Enhancement Program.

“Community Associations are the heart of almost every community in Alberta, as they bring people together to celebrate community events and discuss community needs,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. “I want to thank everyone involved in this project for continuing to support strong communities across Alberta.”

The Community Facility Enhancement Program reinvests revenues generated from Alberta’s provincial lotteries to empower local citizens and community organizations as they respond to local needs.

“The Elkwater Community Association is very grateful for the generous support shown by all three levels of government for this project,” said Len Knowles, President of the Elkwater Community Association. “The new hall, when completed, will be better able to provide Elkwater and the surrounding area with a first class facility for community based activities.”

The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.

Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.

For more information, contact:

Donna Kinley 
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432

Mr. Len Knowles
President
Elkwater Community Association
Telephone: (403) 502-9654

Parker Hogan
Director, Communications
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 427-6530

Doug Henderson
Assistant Manager
Cypress County
Tel: (403) 526-2888