Check back for more details on this developing story. Updates will be provided.
About a hundred people gathered at the Niverville Arena on the morning of Friday, April 12 to witness a day many years in the making. After a long period of behind-the-scenes work by all levels of government, the news is now official: the Community Resource Centre in Niverville is happening.
The federal government has pledged to contribute up to $7.8 million in funding through the Investing in Canada Plan, and the provincial government is adding up to $3.5 million more. These contributions will be added to the $8.2 million which the Town of Niverville has already brought to the table.
In total, these government grants add up to a whopping $19.5 million.
The sometimes emotional announcement was attended by Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification for the Government of Canada; Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Education and Training for the Government of Manitoba; and Mayor Myron Dyck of Niverville. MLA Shannon Martin, MP Ted Falk, and many other councillors and community representatives were on hand.
“The Town of Niverville is excited for the announcement of this new facility, as it will provide a place for all residents to come together within our community,” said Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck. “Serving as a multipurpose space, the centre will have something for everything. Moreover, it will support future growth for Niverville and the surrounding region, which will in turn create a more vibrant and healthy community.”
As previously reported, the Community Resource Centre—previously known locally as the Niverville Multiplex—will be a 99,000-square-foot multiuse facility that will provide recreational and cultural programming and services for the community and surrounding area. Among its many features will be a field house, a new arena, a performing arts centre, a not-for-profit community childcare centre, an indoor play area, leisure activity spaces, meeting rooms, and community common areas.
“The project represents Manitoba’s first community campus model and will leverage use of shared spaces to integrate culture, recreation, and community,” added Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Education and Training for the Government of Manitoba. “The Province of Manitoba continues to invest in projects that support local community needs, enhance economic growth, and bring rural communities together.”
The centre will soon begin construction along Arena Road next to the new Niverville High School, which is nearing completion and is expected to open on schedule this upcoming fall. The high school, Community Resource Centre, and existing arena will all be connected to create a campus where students and residents can access a variety of amenities and social programs.
The campus will be the first in Manitoba to follow this innovative model.
“The Niverville Community Resource Centre will introduce an exciting new space for the community where residents of all ages can access cultural and recreational programming and essential community services,” said the Honourable Jim Carr in his remarks. He spoke on behalf of the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government is proud to be investing in infrastructure projects across the province that are improving the lives of Manitobans, promoting economic growth, and strengthening the middle class.”
According to the federal government, the Investing in Canada Plan will lead to an investment of more than $180 billion over 12 years in community infrastructure across the country, and of that total $25.3 billion is especially earmarked to meet social infrastructure needs. Niverville’s CRC is among the first projects to be approved for funding under this program.
