Co-op invests $1 million in community projects

June 12, 2023

Through its Community Spaces program, Co-op is investing $1 million in 15 community projects across Western Canada.

Since 2015, Co-op Community Spaces has provided $12.5 million to 175 projects in three categories: recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture. The program was developed as part of Co-op’s commitment to invest in the communities it serves.

“Coming together to build sustainable communities is what makes Co-op a different kind of business,” said Pam Skotnitsky, Vice-President of Strategy at Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL). “Through Community Spaces, Co-op is able to recognize and support the commitment of people in our communities to ensure there are spaces where people can meet, play, learn and share for years to come.”

This year’s Community Spaces projects are:

• Agriculture Centre – Foremost & District Agricultural Society (Foremost, AB) – $77,000
• Argyle School Outdoor Space Revitalization – Argyle School Community Council (Regina, SK) – $27,000
• Aurora Community Spaces Playground Project – Midwest Family Connections (Lloydminster, SK) – $50,000
• Barrhead Community Garden Improved Relocation – Barrhead Community Garden Society (Barrhead, AB) – $88,000
• Colonsay Golf Course Repurpose – Golf Course Revitalization Committee (Colonsay, SK) – $57,000
• Commercial Co-op Kitchen – Park Community Centre (Brandon, MB) – $85,000
• Co-op Community Spaces Katepwa Hub – Katepwa Lake Trans Canada Trail (Fort Qu’Appelle, SK) – $60,000
• Englefeld Natural Playscape – Englefeld School (Englefeld, SK) – $48,000
• Hornby Island Arts Centre Interpretive Trail – Hornby Island Arts Council (Hornby Island, BC) – $71,000
• Hythe Community Centre Going Green Initiative – Hythe & District Recreational Society (Hythe, AB) – $50,000
• Julia’s Junction Inclusive Play Space – PURKIDS Charitable Foundation (West Kelowna, BC) – $50,000
• Modular Agriculture Community Classroom – Ellis Bird Farm Ltd. (Lacombe County, AB) – $85,000
• Outdoor Multi Court – Kineepik Métis Local Inc. (Pinehouse Lake, SK) – $100,000
• Skate/Snow Park – Portage la Prairie Revitalization Corporation (Portage la Prairie, MB) – $67,000
• Turtle River Trails Phase 2 – Ste. Rose Recreation Commission (Ste. Rose, MB) – $85,000

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) administers the program on behalf of more than 160 local Co-ops operating in 600 communities. Registered non-profits, charities or community service co-operatives are invited to apply each year in February for funding between $25,000 - $150,000 per project.

Find more information about the program and this year’s recipients at communityspaces.ca.