Viking, Alberta – On Friday, February 9th, Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, announced that residents of East Central Alberta will benefit from an investment of $1.89 million from Canada’s New Government and the Government of Alberta. The funding will go towards road improvements and replacing the Carena (arena) in Viking.
Improvements to the Vegreville Seed Plant Road and Agricore Road will increase safety, reduce maintenance costs and provide access to future development in the Beaver/Viking industrial park. The replacement of the Carena, which was destroyed by fire in July 2005, will benefit area residents through expanded recreational programs with a new, multipurpose and energy efficient ice-surface facility. Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF), the federal and provincial governments will contribute matching amounts to the three projects, which are located in the County of Minburn No. 27, Beaver County and the Town of Viking.
Benoit, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, made the joint announcement in Viking.
“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people of East Central Alberta,” said Benoit. “This investment means safer roads for drivers and, for residents of Viking, it also means they will enjoy expanded recreational opportunities with the replacement of the arena. I have worked with the project organizers of Carena for some time and I am extremely gratified to bring such welcome news to the town and area.”
“The investment will improve traffic flow and safety for motorists on Vegreville Seed Plant and Agricore Roads. It will also bring a new Carena to residents of the Viking area,” said Minister Ouellette. “Providing safe and secure communities and improving Albertans’ quality of life are two of the Government of Alberta’s five priorities.”
The CAMRIF is a joint initiative between the Governments of Canada and Alberta that enables communities to address local infrastructure needs. Over the course of the Fund, the federal and provincial governments will each contribute $88 million in funding for municipal infrastructure renewal.
A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets "green” infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism and cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.
“I want to congratulate those who have worked hard on all of these projects,” stated Benoit, “and I look forward to seeing them successfully completed. Well done!”
For more information: (613) 992-4171 or (780) 763-6130
