Ashcroft’s Community Hall will be celebrating its 125th birthday this year with a nice little “make-over”, thanks in part to a $30,000 grant from the federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).
Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced the financial support for upgrades to the Hall last week.
“I am proud to see Ashcroft benefit from our Government’s support for community infrastructure,” said MP Strahl.
A lot of applicants for infrastructure funding from this popular program weren’t successful, he said.
With this funding, the community hall will be upgraded to make it more energy efficient. The upgrades include lowering and insulating the ceiling, installing insulated panels on the walls, and setting up new energy-efficient lighting.
“As a small village our hall is an important facility for community events,” said Ashcroft Mayor Andy Anderson. “Our users include indoor walking groups, yoga classes, cadet training, community dinners and dances, local talent performances, funerals, elections and so many other events.”
Without the federal government’s assistance, these improvements would not be possible for many more years, he added.
The Village is hoping to be able to use the grant to access money from other grant programs that require the applicant to use a percentage of their own money for the project.
Ashcroft Administrator Michelle Allen said they are hoping to raise $90,000 to finish all of the work they’re hoping to do on the Hall, which includes outdoor landscaping.
She says work will start this Spring. Some indoor activity may be interrupted while interior renovations are being done.
In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government announced further support to help communities across the country modernize their infrastructure. Our Government committed $150 million over two years for the Fund. The Fund supports projects that look to improve existing community infrastructure accessible for use by the public, such as community centres, recreational buildings, local arenas, cultural and other community facilities.