The Manitoba government has announced that it is investing over $25 million through the Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) program to support 428 community development projects throughout the province.

“Locally developed projects are, by design, tailored to address their community’s specific, unique needs and opportunities,” said Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith. “Our government is pleased to continue supporting community-based projects that foster thriving, sustainable neighbourhoods and improve residents’ quality of life.”

Budget 2023, Historic Help for Manitobans, maintains funding support to the Building Sustainable Communities Program for a total commitment of up to $25 million. This investment was doubled last year to increase support for community projects. This investment included over $12 million for 368 local and regional initiatives and nearly $13 million for 60 larger-scale capital projects.

Some of the projects receiving grants include:

  • $122,465 to Gateway Recreation Centre in Winnipeg for facility upgrades, including replacing its evaporative condenser;
  • $300,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Thompson for building an addition to the youth centre to expand program capacity;
  • $33,652 to Portage Learning and Literacy Centre to develop and deliver a food security program;
  • $90,000 to Winnipeg Transcona Lions Club for outdoor facility upgrades including community basketball court;
  • $300,000 to Lighthouse Evangelistic Association in Winnipeg for renovations and an addition to the Lighthouse Mission;
  • $75,000 to Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation for community resource centre renovations and upgrades;
  • $54,500 to Rural Municipality of Grahamdale Community Development Corporation for renovations to community dock;
  • $133,500 to Manitoba Islamic Association Inc. in Winnipeg for community centre upgrades; and
  • $37,500 to Nanaksar Satsang Sabha Inc. in Winnipeg for mechanical upgrades.

“The generous grant from the Manitoba government’s Building Sustainable Communities program will allow Gateway Recreation Centre to provide all user groups quality arena ice in a safe environment on a 12 months per year basis,” said Len Fabris, president, Gateway Recreation Centre. “The replacement of the existing evaporative condenser will make it much easier to freeze arena ice thus allowing us the opportunity to offer additional programs for all children, adults and seniors in the community.”

The BSC program was launched in 2019 to offer municipalities and non-profit organizations a new program that streamlined administrative processes and reduced red tape, the minister noted, adding that the program replaced seven programs that were restrictive, operated in silos and were administratively burdensome. Since 2019, the BSC program has committed over $82 million to support 1,745 community projects throughout Manitoba and leveraged $185 million in other funding sources.

The grant program supports planning activities, organizational capacity building projects, equipment costs, capital infrastructure and other local or regional initiatives that enhance the sustainability of communities.

BSC projects can receive up to 50 per cent toward eligible costs. The maximum grant for projects in the regular stream is $75,000, while larger-scale capital projects can receive up to $300,000. Approved projects, with the exception of planning activities, are required to have a minimum of 10 per cent of funding from non-government sources.

“The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) greatly appreciates the collaborative partnership between our organization and the Manitoba government in assessing municipal project applications under the Building Sustainable Communities program,” said Kam Blight, president, AMM. “Municipalities have identified numerous projects and initiatives that benefit local communities and contribute towards building a stronger Manitoba. Thus, this funding announcement is certainly timely and will help grow our province.”

The minister noted the BSC program intake includes valued feedback from AMM to ensure local and district priorities are addressed.

“The BSC program is making a remarkable difference in communities provincewide,” said Smith. “From installing play structures to creating outdoor recreation spaces to renovating community centres, these projects make communities healthier, stronger and more competitive.”

The 2023-24 BSC program intake period closed on Jan. 23 with 655 applications received. The list of the 428 approved projects is posted at gov.mb.ca.