Across the country, community centres, cultural centres, hockey rinks, swimming pools, and other community projects will soon be improved thanks to support from the Harper Government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

As part of the Government's Economic Action Plan 2012, Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced support for the Windsor Park Nordic Centre under Fund.

"I am proud to see Winnipeg benefit from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, and the Windsor Park Nordic Centre is a wonderful organization that provides nine kilometres of beautiful ski trails for people who want to get outdoors and have some fun," said MP Glover. "By improving facilities such as this, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for Canadians."

The Harper Government's investment of $75,000 will enhance the services provided by the Windsor Park Nordic Centre. With this funding, the Centre will install trail lighting which will allow for night skiing. The Windsor Park Nordic Centre, operated by the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba, provides nine kilometres of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing. The facility is well used by school groups, local ski clubs, and the general public.

"We are delighted to have the support from the federal government, which will allow the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba to increase the length of illuminated ski trails at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre, and increase our capacity to provide a superior ski recreational experience to our community," said Karin McSherry, Executive Director, Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba. "The Windsor Park Nordic Centre is a unique urban cross country ski park used by recreational as well as competitive skiers. It is home to numerous ski programs including the national youth skill development program "Jackrabbits", local club programs supporting skiers from entry level to high performance, the Manitoba Blind Sports ski program, Special Olympics Manitoba ski team and many school ski programs including our own Chris McCubbins School Ski program for elementary students from downtown Winnipeg."

In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government announced further support to help communities across the country modernize their infrastructure. Our Government committed $150 million over two years for the Fund. The Fund supports projects that look to improve existing community infrastructure accessible for use by the public, such as community centres, recreational buildings, local arenas, cultural and other community facilities.

Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating, small- and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.

For more information, contact:

Gabriela Klimes
Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Telephone: 204-983-6243

Karin McSherry
Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Telephone: 204-925-5639

WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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