Government of Canada Invests in Jewish Community Centre

December 22, 2009

Edmonton, Alberta – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove, and Minister Responsible for Northern Alberta, today announced federal funding for upgrades to the Jewish Community Centre in Edmonton. Funding for the project is being provided under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job creation initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“The Recreational Infrastructure Canada program is sustaining and creating jobs for Canadians and stimulating economic activity in communities across the country during the global recession,” said Minister Ambrose. “These upgrades to the recreational facilities at the Jewish Community Centre will create local jobs and opportunities for Edmonton businesses during the recession, and the result will be better sports and fitness facilities that will provide long-term health and social benefits for patrons of the Centre.”

The Jewish Community Centre will use the funding to demolish its aging existing facility and develop a new building. The facility, built to meet modern energy efficiency and environmental standards, will include a gymnasium, aerobics studio, dance centre, multipurpose room, karate/jujitsu studio, cardio centre, weight room and change room.

“The Jewish Federation of Edmonton is delighted that the federal government has approved funding under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program to help the Edmonton Jewish Community Centre redevelopment project,” said Clyde Hurtig, President of the Jewish Federation. “This funding is crucial to the viability of the project and is greatly appreciated.”

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help counter the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities. A total of almost $163 million in RinC funding will be invested across the four western provinces.

RInC is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government’s multi-faceted stimulus plan to help Canadians weather the global economic downturn and lay the groundwork for future growth and prosperity. Western Economic Diversification Canada is delivering the initiative in the four western provinces.

For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.