The NDP has announced investment in several new community service projects in and around Greater Victoria, following the party's budget announcement on March 4.
“People living in Greater Victoria will have access to essential community services, thanks to funding for capital projects that help not-for-profit organizations," NDP MLAs throughout the region, including Nina Kreiger, Diana Gibson and Lana Popham said in their release.
In sum, $568,000 in grants were awarded to capital projects throughout the region.
“Our community is fortunate to be home to strong and caring organizations, which are especially important during these challenging times," said Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake.
“Whether it’s providing access to nature, improving community accessibility, supporting newcomers to the region, supporting people in recovery, or promoting the arts, these organizations make a key difference locally.”
Our Place Society saw the largest investment receiving $250,000 in grant support to build an industrial-grade kitchen, that will accommodate 30 people per meal, for their women’s recovery program.
Following that, $99,502 was awarded to the Victoria Conservatory of Music, for their Heritage Gates: Community Revitalization Through Music Program, and $86,000 was provided to the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society, to improve an Accessible Community Amenity for Nature Conservation, by transforming underutilized space and providing animal room upgrades.
Other recipients include the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society with $16,000 for Empowerment Through Education by expanding training capacity for BIPOC newcomers. The Land Conservancy of BC received $38,120, the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association got $50,000 and the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence Society in Saanich received $29,000 to install energy efficient heating and sound baffling in its indoor/outdoor dome.
“People across the south Island benefit from the work of organizations like these,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South. “With this funding, their work and projects can make progress for the community.”
These are among the 54 capital projects the government will fund across B.C., investing a total of $5 million through the Community Gaming Grants program.
“Organizations like these receiving funding serve locally to make life better for people, share the arts in our community, and nurture the plants and animals that make this place home,” said Diana Gibson, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “This funding will help them continue to do this work that makes our community better every day.”
