NDP vowed $57M for rec projects in days leading up to blackout period

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/02/2016 (3835 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The NDP government promised $57.3 million in recreation projects in the lead-up to the provincial election blackout period.

Through a municipal government request, The Brandon Sun received 10 agreements dated between Jan. 16 to 19 for projects that range from $100,000 to $15 million.

The blackout period officially started Jan. 20.

Just days after the blackout, Laurie Davidson, assistant deputy minister for Manitoba Municipal Government, said the majority of the projects aren’t “finalized” but “agreements in principle.”

Five of the projects are in Winnipeg, where $38.6 million was promised, or more than 67 per cent of the total dollars.

The two largest projects consist of a $15-million promise for the Diversity Gardens project at Assiniboine Park and approximately $14.6 million for the proposed Concordia Health and Fitness Centre. Both projects are in Winnipeg and are contingent on federal funding.

The three other Winnipeg agreements are $5 million for the Maples Community Centre, $3.9 million for the St. James Civic Centre and $100,000 for a feasibility study examining the merits of expanding the Tyndall Park Community Centre.

Of the 10 agreements, the Tyndall project is the only one approved.

The only Westman municipality to receive an agreement was Melita. The government pledged $1.5 million toward the Melita and Area Communiplex. The funding is provided through the Building Manitoba Fund, but is contingent on other funding partners.

Eight of the 10 agreements were sent out on Jan. 19, the last day before the blackout, with at least one municipal official saying it “came out of the blue.”

Other agreements include $8 million for a multiplex in Lorette, $5 million for a new performing arts centre in Steinbach, $4 million for a multiplex in Gimli and $200,000 for a new splash pad and skateboard park in Ste. Anne.

The Lorette project is shared 50-50 between the community and the province.

Davidson said the province wasn’t setting a new precedent — one that doesn’t require one-third funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments — because the multiplex was not strictly a recreation project but included a daycare and resource centre component.

“Provincial officials will be in contact with you shortly to finalize the funding details, which will included determining the final project scope and construction costs,” the agreement states.

Davidson said she isn’t concerned the government doesn’t have firm cost projections or designs prior to approving the Lorette project.

“They’re obviously estimated costs,” Davidson said. “Because you need the final project design, etcetera.”

Nine of the 10 agreements are signed by Brandon East MLA and Municipal Government Minister Drew Caldwell, while one is from Premier Greg Selinger.

Calls to Caldwell were not returned by press time.

» ctweed@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @CharlesTweed