Towns of Okotoks and Pincher Creek Benefit from Infrastructure Investments
January 10, 2008
Okotoks, Alberta – The federal and provincial governments will jointly invest nearly $840,000 to upgrade four existing outdoor facilities, expand the Wylie Athletic Park in the Town of Okotoks and allow for the development of a Facilities Master Plan for the Town of Pincher Creek.

Ted Menzies, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Macleod, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and George Groeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Food and MLA for Highwood and David Coutts, MLA for Livingstone-MacLeod, on behalf of Luke Ouellette, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, announced the funding today through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).

“Our government is investing in active living and quality of life for Okotoks residents and the surrounding communities,” said MP Menzies. “We are also helping the Town of Pincher Creek better manage its buildings and physical infrastructure to accommodate growth pressures and assist with budget forecasting.”

As part of the Okotoks Outdoor Facilities Master Plan Implementation Phase I, the Town is receiving $753,332 to restore and upgrade two soccer fields, two baseball diamonds, and allow for the expansion of the Wylie Athletic Park, which includes a Water Features Spray Park. These project investments will upgrade the facilities and create an enjoyable and memorable experience for all. Further innovative benefits to the Town and surrounding environment will be realized through the linkage of all irrigation systems used by the outdoor facilities to the local weather station. The linkage of the systems will improve the quality of the fields and conserve water by ensuring efficient and effective watering patterns.

“Investing in these important outdoor recreational facilities will greatly enhance the quality of life for people in Okotoks,” said Groeneveld.

The Town of Pincher Creek will receive $86,666 to develop a master plan to evaluate the existing conditions of buildings owned by the town and to plan for building upgrades, replacement of building components and/or the replacement of existing facilities.

“Helping Pincher Creek assess the condition of municipal buildings will ensure effective infrastructure planning for the future,” said Coutts, “Both these projects reflect Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to secure Alberta’s future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity.”

Under the initial CAMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $88 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs. This year, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta have each provided an additional $19 million to the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. The total amount available from CAMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contribution in projects, is $321 million.

A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets green infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism, cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.

Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)

The following projects are receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).

Town of Okotoks

Okotoks Outdoor Facilities Master Plan Implementation Phase 1
Combined federal / provincial investment: $753,332 (pending environmental assessment)

This project, in the Town of Okotoks, will receive funding to upgrade four existing outdoor facilities and to expand the Wylie Athletic Park to include a Water Features Spray Park. The four outdoor fields that have been identified as needing rehabilitation and improvements are: Dr Morris Gibson Soccer, Big Rock Soccer, Tower Hill Baseball and Wylie Park Baseball.

Town of Pincher Creek

Facilities Evaluation Operation, Maintenance & Capital Upgrade Master Plan
Combined federal / provincial investment: $86,666

This project will evaluate the existing conditions of buildings owned by the Town of Pincher Creek and provide a master plan for building upgrades, replacement of building components and/or replacement of existing facilities.

Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)

Partnership Program
  • The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF) is designed to address local infrastructure needs in rural and urban Alberta. It ensures all Albertans, whether they live in large, small or remote communities, share in the benefits of infrastructure investments.
  • Through the fund, the Governments of Canada and Alberta invest in local infrastructure projects. These projects are vital to sustaining strong economic growth and quality of life in Canadian communities.
  • Under the initial CAMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $88 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs.
  • This year, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta have each provided an additional $19 million to CAMRIF as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs.
  • The total amount available from CAMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contribution in projects, is $321 million.
  • CAMRIF is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and is administered by a joint secretariat.
Program Priorities
  • A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets green infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism and cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity.
  • At least 80 per cent of CAMRIF funding is dedicated to rural municipalities with a population of less than 250,000. The remaining 20 per cent is available to urban municipalities with a population greater than 250,000.
  • A total of $724,584 is also available to municipalities for Municipal Capacity Building (MCB) projects. Projects may include, but are not limited to, the acquisition of infrastructure planning software, training to use that software, planning studies to determine the inventory and condition of infrastructure assets in the municipality or the development of a demand asset management system.
Local input and collaboration
  • CAMRIF is managed by a six member Management Committee consisting of two federal representatives, two provincial representatives, and two members representing Alberta’s municipal associations—the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. The Management Committee develops the Management Committee guidelines and oversees the project review and selection process. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities. The deadline to submit applications for the second intake was May 31, 2007.
Environmental Assessment
  • CAMRIF projects are required to successfully complete applicable environmental assessment processes, and funding is conditional on compliance with all applicable federal and provincial requirements.
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