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New milestones, projects for Co-op Community Spaces

June 13, 2019

The Co-op Community Spaces Program is celebrating two milestones in 2019 – its fifth anniversary and funding for over 100 projects since the program’s inception.

This year, Co-op is providing $2 million to fund 26 projects across Western Canada, including a teaching farm in Chilliwack, B.C., an early years learning space in Calgary, Alta., an outdoor rink in Outlook, Sask., and a nature sanctuary educational centre in Winkler, Man.  

“When we launched Co-op Community Spaces, we were looking for opportunities where Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) could work together with local co-ops and partner with local organizations to build or improve publicly-accessible community spaces ,” said Vic Huard, Executive Vice-President of Customer Experience and Stakeholder Engagement at FCL.

“As we celebrate the five year anniversary of the program, I’m proud to see how these spaces are bringing people and communities together. This program is another way local co-ops give back to their communities.”

Since 2015, the program has provided $8.5 million to 114 projects in three categories: recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture.

Co-op grants $2 million annually, with projects eligible for up to $150,000 in funding, to help protect, beautify and improve spaces. Applications for project funding are accepted Feb. 1 to March 1 annually.

FCL administers this community investment program on behalf of more than 170 independent local co-operatives across Western Canada that form the Co-operative Retailing System.

More information about the program and this year’s recipients are available at communityspaces.ca