The Cache Creek Community Park will undergo some major improvements with the help of $128,300 from the federal government.
Last week, Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for playground equipment and site site reconstruction under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).
“By improving facilities such as this, we are helping to boost economic activity while improving local facilities,” said MP Strahl.
Cache Creek will match the grant with their own $128,000 and use the money to raise the existing level of the playground to address flooding issues, install paving stones around the Gazebo to make it wheelchair accessible, and level the sloped area between the pool and playground. The Village will also replace existing playground equipment to meet current safety standards.
“This initiative will improve the accessibility and functionality of the park, as well as protect the playground and gazebo from future flooding,” said Mayor John Ranta. “New paving stones around the gazebo will provide an attractive and functional area for community events, and leveling the sloped area between the pool and playground will offer an expanded area for picnicking. We are very excited about this project.”
These improvements to the park, and more, were outlined in the 2011 Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan which can be read on the Village’s website: www.cachecreekvillage.com The Plan was created with the input of several of Cache Creek’s leisure and recreation users.
Later the same day, Nov. 30, Strahl was in Lillooet to announce $52,000 for the Lillooet and District REC Centre from the same funding program. The funds will replace an exterior marquee sign with an energy-efficient electronic message board, improve the centre’s boiler unit and make various improvements to the pool area.
CIIF supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure accessible to the public. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.