Green Municipal Fund Commits $25,000 to the Town of Pincher Creek towards Reducing Energy Costs at its Multi-Purpose Sports and Recreation Facility

October 31, 2007

Pincher Creek, AB – President Don Johnson of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC), representing the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and Ted Menzies, MP (Macleod), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, representing the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today a $25,000 Green Municipal Fund grant to the Town of Pincher Creek to help it assess the feasibility of integrating renewable energy options, and water and energy conservation measures into the operation of the Pincher Creek Multi-Purpose Facility (MPF). The goal is to improve the MPF’s energy efficiency and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. The facility was constructed in 1999 as an extension to an existing arena built in 1963. It is owned and operated by the Town of Pincher Creek and includes an arena, swimming pool, fitness area, library and meeting rooms.

“FCM’s Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically address the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments,” said AAMDC President Don Johnson, who also chairs FCM’s Rural Forum. “The financing and knowledge provided by the Fund supports the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”

“Sustainable communities are the foundation of a sustainable nation. And that’s a goal that we all share,” said Ted Menzies, MP. “Through the Green Municipal Fund, the Government of Canada is assisting municipalities across the country to deliver results. Projects such as this will help to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians.”

The Government of Canada has endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with $550 million to establish and manage the Green Municipal Fund. The Fund supports partnerships and leveraging of both public and private sector funding to reach higher standards of air, water and soil quality, and climate protection.

“We want to operate the facility in a cost effective and sustainable manner,” said Mayor Gary Mills. “It is estimated that the study will help us identify ways to achieve up to a 30 percent reduction in GHG emissions and up to a 20 percent reduction in net water consumption.”

FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. It fosters sustainable communities enjoying a high quality of life by promoting strong, effective, and accountable municipal government.

- 30 -

For information:

Town of Pincher Creek

Diane Burt Stuckey,
Director of Community Services
P.O. Box 159, 895 Main Street
Pincher Creek, Alberta
T0K 1W0
Tel: 403-627-4322
Fax: 403-627-4311
Email: comsrvs@pinchercreek.ca

Green Municipal Fund

Lucille Hodgins
Manager, Community Liaison
Green Municipal Fund
Centre for Sustainable Community Development
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Tel.: 613-907-6299
Cell: 613-447-0051
Fax: 613-244-1515
E-mail: lhodgins@fcm.ca

Natural Resources Canada

Louise Girouard
Director of Communications
Minister’s Office
Natural Resources Canada
Tel.: 613-996-2007
Fax: 613-943-0663

For information on the Town of Pincher Creek, AB, visit http://www.pinchercreek.ca.

For information on the Green Municipal Fund, including details of other approved projects and studies, visit http://www.sustainablecommunities.fcm.ca

For information on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, visit http://www.fcm.ca

For information on Natural Resources Canada, visit http://nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

For information on Environment Canada, visit http://www.ec.gc.ca