Joint federal and provincial funding of $152 million for 20 infrastructure projects in central Alberta will help to build stronger communities.
In Drayton Valley, the funding will build a new Net-Zero Aquatic Facility, with an eight-lane pool, 25-metre lap pool, leisure pool, a lazy river, steam room, hot tub, and multi-purpose room. Even while the facility creates a new hub for fun and fitness in Drayton Valley, it will achieve a net-zero energy balance by using heat recovered from a nearby hockey arena. This renewable source of energy will produce zero harmful emissions and will significantly reduce long-term operating costs.
In Fort Saskatchewan, a new waste gas burner facility will benefit 13 area municipalities. The new facility, to be built by the Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission, will burn off more than 99 per cent of the excess biogas used to heat it, significantly reducing air pollutants while improving energy efficiency.
In Edmonton, the funding will expand and renovate the Knottwood Community League Centre and build the new Ridge Community League Skating Rink and Community Hall. The new and modernized facilities, with greatly improved accessibility, will allow more residents to enjoy sports, leisure activities and vibrant community gatherings.
These projects, and the others announced today, will get people back to work and bring communities the infrastructure they need to improve people’s lives, diversify Alberta’s economy, and build a greener future. They are investments people need today, that provide hope for the future.
The Government of Canada is investing over $82.3 million in these projects through the Green Infrastructure Stream, the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream, and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
The Government of Alberta is contributing more than $69.7 million under Alberta's Recovery Plan, which builds on economic strengths to attract investment and position the province for prosperity.
“As a swimmer and lover of aquatic sports, I am excited to see this project get under way. This facility will benefit the entire Drayton Valley community, giving people of all ages a place to have fun, exercise, and develop an important life skill. The heating system, fueled with renewable energy, will contribute to lowering emissions. Along with the 19 other important infrastructure projects across Central Alberta that we are announcing today, we are helping build a strong sustainable future. Canada’s Infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across Canada, and builds stronger communities.”
“Rural Canadians are facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they also have unique opportunities for growth and innovation. From creating new community spaces to keeping our water sources clean and sustainable, today’s investment of over $82.3 million in 20 infrastructure projects in Central Alberta will help ensure our rural communities stay strong, vibrant, and resilient as we safely restart the economy. Our government will continue to deliver for Alberta communities, building on our investments since 2015 of more than $4.7 billion in nearly 300 infrastructure projects across the province that are helping to strengthen local economies and improve quality of life.”
“Alberta’s Recovery Plan focuses on infrastructure as a critical component for promoting economic growth and jobs for Albertans. This includes supporting important construction projects, like the new aquatic facility in Drayton Valley and the 19 other central Alberta ICIP projects we are supporting, that help keep Albertans working and stimulate local economies at a time when Albertans face unprecedented unemployment.”
“This long-awaited announcement is extremely exciting for our community. Town council has been pursuing the vision of a new aquatic facility since 2012; I am ecstatic to announce that our dedication and planning for this project over the last eight years is finally coming to fruition. I want to acknowledge and commend the Government of Canada for investing in community projects through the ICIP grant initiative, I also want to acknowledge the province’s commitment to rural communities such as Drayton Valley. Without important grant opportunities such as these, the vision of a new pool would continue to be a distant dream. Investing in new facilities is a critical component to any municipality, not only for the well-being and enjoyment for the residents in our region, but as an important step in growing the economy by attracting new families and visitors to Drayton Valley.”
Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth. Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to save livelihoods, grow and thrive.
Quick facts
- Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities such as facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition, $400 million is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.
- $4 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.
- To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program—part of the Investing in Canada Plan—to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.
- The COVID-19 Resilience Stream will help other orders of government whose finances have been significantly impacted by the pandemic by increasing the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects.
- The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will also provide up to $31 million in existing federal funding to support communities as they develop innovative ways to adapt spaces and services to respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years.
- These projects are part of the more than $10 billion infrastructure spending announced as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan.
- This spending includes:
- $6.9 billion Budget 2020 capital spending
- $980 million accelerated for Capital Maintenance and Renewal
- $200 million for Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program and water infrastructure projects
- $600 million in strategic infrastructure projects, $500 million in municipal infrastructure
- $1.5 billion for Keystone XL
