The St. James Civic Centre is getting a $13M renovation
The St. James Civic Centre is getting a makeover.
On Friday, all three levels of government held a joint news conference to announce funding to expand and renovate the recreation complex.
Terry Duguid, parliamentary secretary to the minister of economic development and official languages and to the minister of environment and climate change, said in a news release that investing in infrastructure is the key to building "healthy, connected and vibrant communities."
"The $5.2 million in federal funding announced today to expand the St. James Civic Centre in Winnipeg will ensure that residents of all ages can get together, meet and share activities that keep them active and enrich their community connections.
The federal government is investing more than $5.2 million, the Manitoba government is providing more than $4.4 million, and the City of Winnipeg is contributing more than $3.5 million to the project.
The money will go to new multi-purpose meeting rooms, an administrative space for the St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre, and a community kitchen. It will also help with improvements to the auditorium, the main building entry, and the washrooms. These upgrades will provide more program opportunities and improve accessibility.
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said the city submitted a project application almost two years ago, and that Friday's announcement is a "long overdue" investment from the three levels of government.
"The expansion of the St. James Civic Centre will provide a home for the St. James Assiniboia 55 Plus Centre and will help people remain connected, healthy and active," he said.
In a statement, Adrien Sala, the NDP MLA for St. James, said families have been waiting three years for the province to upgrade the St. James Civic Centre.
"While the PCs dragged their heels, seniors, kids and community members lost access to the programs and facilities that help them stay healthy and active," he said.
"Families in St. James and Assiniboia deserve a government that prioritizes the needs of their community and gets local projects done on time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.