Government of Canada Invests Over $222,000 in Improvements to New Westminster's Community Infrastructure

The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) funding helps communities upgrade local infrastructure and improve quality of life for all Canadians

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC, June 26, 2017 /CNW/ - A popular community park in New Westminster has received a much-needed upgrade just in time for the summer season thanks to the support from a Government of Canada CIP 150 investment of $222,500.

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, on the opening day of the upgraded park.

The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is part of Canada 150 Celebrates, the Government of Canada's celebration of our country's 150th anniversary of Confederation. Budget 2016 provided an additional $150 million over two years to Canada's Regional Development Agencies to deliver further community funding across the country, starting in 2016-17, with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) being responsible for administering the program in Western Canada.

Through investments in communities across the country, the Government of Canada is supporting projects that seek to renovate, expand, and improve existing infrastructure with a focus on recreational facilities, projects that advance a clean growth economy, and projects with a positive impact on Indigenous communities.

Quotes

"Sapperton Park is symbolic of so many parks across our great country. They provide a place for communities to come together and enjoy the outdoors. Whether it's exploring the new play structures or cooling off in the spray park, I'm proud that the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program was able to support the improvements that we're celebrating today."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"This playground was designed after extensive consultation with children and families. Talking with children about their new playground empowered them to apply their creativity and vision. Thanks to the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, we helped turn those great ideas into something tangible, and you can see in them a sense of pride and ownership, as well as the knowledge that their input was valued."
- Mayor Jonathan X. Coté, City of New Westminster

Quick Facts

• With the funding, the City of New Westminster has replaced playground and spray park equipment at Sapperton Park.
• Key improvements include replacing aging equipment at the spray park to create a new adventure area. New features including bridges, seating, and a nature trail have also been added.

Stay Connected

Twitter: @WD_Canada, @canada150th, @MinisterISED, @New_Westminster.
Hashtags: #Canada150
Website: WD Homepage, Canada 150 Homepage, New Westminster 
Facebook: @canada150th 
Instagram: @canada150
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

Additional Links

• Government of Canada Announces Support for Community Infrastructure in British Columbia
• Backgrounder: The 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

Ben Stanford, Regional Communications Manager, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]