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Co-op Community Spaces expands reach, $1.5 million will support 21 projects

June 23, 2016

A $1.5 million commitment from Co-op will protect, beautify and enhance spaces in communities across Western Canada.

The funding is provided by Co-op Community Spaces, a program supporting community-based recreation, conservation and urban agriculture projects. This year’s 21 recipients span all four western Canadian provinces and include local organizations and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in their community and deliver important local services.

“Co-op Community Spaces is already making a positive impact throughout Western Canada and our latest recipients will keep that momentum rolling,” said Leah Andrew, Associate Vice-President Marketing and Communications with Federated Co-operatives Limited, which administers the program on behalf of the more than 200 independent retail co-operatives that form the Co-operative Retailing System. “Co-op is proud to assist local organizations and will continue to support initiatives that make our communities stronger.”

Making a difference

Since launching in 2015, Co-op Community Spaces has provided almost $2.5 million to 37 local projects that benefit communities throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

This year’s Co-op Community Spaces projects include an aquatic centre in Vanderhoof, B.C., an educational kitchen in Calgary, a community greenhouse in Regina and a new arts and cultural centre in Winkler, Man.

Contest winners announced

In May, western Canadians were asked to nominate the public spaces they love in their community as part of this year’s Co-op Community Spaces contest. From thousands of entries, Co-op selected four winners — one in every western Canadian province — who each received $1,000 because of their nomination. The four nominated spaces will share $25,000 to support their local initiatives.

For more details about this year’s Co-op Community Spaces recipients — as well as profiles of last year’s projects — see www.communityspaces.ca.