Community Places Program

The Community Places Program provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include recreational, cultural, heritage and other non-profit community organizations in Manitoba.

Community Places gives priority to proposals involving critical repairs to extend the life of well-used, existing facilities.  Public schools, universities, hospitals, nursing homes, businesses, commercial co-operatives and federal, provincial and City of Winnipeg departments and agencies are not eligible. Ineligible projects include those primarily involving housing, spaces for worship or congregational purposes, cemeteries, tourism signage, portable tools, equipment, furniture and municipal services.  Exceptions may exist where community use can be measured.

Projects involving new construction or major renovations must be consistent with Manitoba's Green Building Policy (LEED Silver, Integrated Design, Manitoba Hydro Power Smart, etc.)

Summary

Grants

Community Groups Sponsoring projects involving the construction, purchase upgrading, or expansion of recreational facilities, libraries, museums, cultural facilities, community parks, child care facilities, seniors' activity centers, facilities for the disabled and community resource centers can apply to the Program for up to 50% of the first $15,000 and up to 1/3 of the project costs over that amount. The maximum grant is $50,000.

Technical Consultation Services:

These services are provided by the Program's Facility Consultant whom assists community groups in the planning and development of facility projects. Consultations include planning and design advice, project and operating costs projections, information on regulatory requirements, the provision of schematic drawings and assistance with the tendering process.

Project Funding:

Project sponsors' contribution to project costs can include locally raised funds, local government funding, other provincial government funding, volunteer labour, donated materials, loaned heavy construction equipment and other sources.  It is important to note that funding from all provincial government sources combined cannot exceed 50% of the total project costs. In communities under the jurisdiction of the Northern Affairs Act, Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs may provide the local government portion of eligible project costs.

Grant Payment Process:

Community Places grants are paid to project sponsors in instalments based on project progress. Projects are monitored by Program staff in Winnipeg and by Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport regional staff in the rest of the province.

Application Process:

One application intake is held each year. News releases advertising the program's availability and application deadline are provided to urban and rural newspapers annually as soon as applications are available.  Bulletins are sent directly to municipal and First Nations officials, recreation/wellness organizations, and client groups throughout the province.  Application materials are made available in the Program office in Winnipeg and in the regional offices of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport.  Applications are also available online at http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/grants.

If your community group is planning a project please contact the nearest office listed at http://www.manitoba.ca/chc/grants/cppcontact.html  as soon as possible to discuss your project.  You may also have your name and address placed on a mailing list and application materials will be mailed directly to you.

Manitoba Contact(s):
Community Places Program
Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism
3rd Floor, 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3B 1N3
Telephone: 204-945-0502
Fax: 204-948-2086
Toll-free (information): 1-800-894-3777
E-mail: mcpp@gov.mb.ca