The Canadian government today announced that the City of Cranbrook is receiving $184,750 to revitalize Confederation Park.

Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced the investment through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for the city.

“This initiative demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting economic development in communities in every corner of British Columbia. We have helped put small-and medium-sized businesses on the road to recovery. Now it’s time to invest in the shared public spaces that will safely bring people together and help communities grow and thrive well into the future,” Minister Sajjan stated.

This funding will allow the city to revitalize Confederation Park by improving existing amenities and constructing new ones. The project includes upgrading trails, creating a parking area and wildlife viewing tower, building a dock and washroom facilities, and installing bilingual signage and way-finding.

“It has been an important goal in our strategic plan to leverage and enhance our community’s natural assets for the recreational benefit of our residents and our visitors. This funding will go a long way to enhancing Confederation Park, similar to our work revitalizing Idlewild Park these past few years. I am grateful to the Government of Canada for its support of this important project for the City of Cranbrook,” stated Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt.

The CCRF was launched in June 2021. It is providing $500 million over two years for Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to invest in projects that build and improve community infrastructure.

CCRF funding supports two major streams of activity so that communities can:

• adapt community spaces and assets so that they may be used safely in accordance with local public-health guidelines, and/or
• build or improve community spaces to encourage Canadians to re-engage in and explore their communities and regions.

Eligible recipients include not-for-profit organizations; rural, municipal or regional governments; Indigenous groups and communities; and public sector bodies that provide municipal-type infrastructure.

Priority may be given to projects that encourage the participation of underrepresented groups and take into consideration the unique challenges of rural and remote communities.

Tammy Oates/e-KNOW file photo

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