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Community Development Fund awards over $972,000 to fund initiatives

Press Release –

August 20, 2014

WHITEHORSE—The Yukon government awarded over $972,000 to 21 community organizations for historical, cultural, recreational and other initiatives throughout Yukon.

“Yukoners will have better access to our shared history and cultural heritage, to recreational opportunities and to improved facilities as a result of these initiatives,” Minister of Economic Development Currie Dixon said. “The Yukon government is pleased to provide these organizations with support through the Community Development Fund, and work with them as they contribute to Yukon’s communities and way of life.”

These Tier II level projects will provide over 11,047 hours of employment to about 81 people through the Community Development Fund.

Among the recipients is the Yukon Freestyle Ski Association (YFSA). A dry slope ramp will be built at Mt. Sima to allow freestyle athletes in Yukon, and from across Canada, to train during the summer.

“Training in the off-season is very important for skill development. For freestyle skiing, this means travelling to Whistler during the summer to attend training camp, which is very expensive and prevents most families from participating,” YFSA president Lynda Harlow said. “With this dry slope, all of our athletes will benefit from training at home and, since few ramps like this exist in Canada, an added benefit is that other teams have already shown an interest in coming to our facility.”

The Marsh Lake Community Society will be making upgrades to existing walking trails on the Marsh Lake peninsula between McClintock Bay and Army Beach Road. Drainage along the trails will be improved, allowing public access in the spring when water levels are high.

“This support from the Community Development Fund encourages a healthy lifestyle by enabling residents to use the trails year-round for skiing, snowshoeing, biking and walking,” community member Lynn Standing-Whiten said. “Improving the trails will benefit the whole community and residents have already volunteered their time and resources to help make this possible.”

Visit: Community Development Fund

See backgrounder.

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Contact:

Elaine Schiman
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
elaine.schiman@gov.yk.ca

Shay Kokiw
Economic Development, Communications
867-456-6529
shay.kokiw@gov.yk.ca

Backgrounder: May 2014 Tier II Community Development Fund Projects

Alaska Highway Heritage Society, Yukon – $51,461 to submit a final designation nomination for the Alaska Highway in the category of “place” to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada by November 2014. The project will create 1,500 hours of employment for five people. Contact: Sally Robinson at 867-633-3896

Biathlon Yukon – $70,000 to upgrade the firing line and target line at Biathlon Yukon. The project will create 702.5 hours of employment for seven people. Contact: Grant Redfern at 867-667-4172

Dawson Childcare Association – $30,000 to conduct a feasibility study to determine how best to address challenges surrounding inadequate facilities with the intent to ensure they are able to meet community demand. Contact: Elise McCormick at 867-993-5167

Dawson Shelter Society – $32,625 to establish security and safety around the outside of the Dawson Women’s Shelter. The project will create 1,640 hours of employment for four people. Contact: Diane Schroeder at 867-993-5086

Granger Community Association – $25,803 to implement phase one of the Granger Park plan and to develop and design phase two. The project will create 200 hours of employment for five people. Contact: Shari McIntosh at 867-633-5739

Klondike Snowmobile Association – $44,048 to upgrade the network of multi-use trails in the City of Whitehorse located between an area near Fish Lake Road and the Klondike Highway by way of grading, improving drainage, brushing and signage. The project will create 200 to 320 hours of employment for five to eight people. Contact: Mark Daniels at 867-667-7680

Kwanlin Dün Cultural Society – $35,455 to enable Elders of Kwanlin Dün First Nation to record visual and biographical portraits and oral histories for future exhibits and programs at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, as well as for presentations relating to Kwanlin Dün traditional territory. This project will create 450 hours of employment for three people. Contact: Derek Cooke at 867-456-5322

Kwanlin Dün First Nation – $68,202 to remove the old asphalt rink surface and replace it with a smooth level concrete pad. The project will create 120 hours of employment for four people. Contact: Gary Bailie at 867-334-3313

Marsh Lake Community Society – $25,215 to make improvements to existing walking trails on Marsh Lake peninsula between McClintock Bay and Army Beach Road. The project will create 100 hours of employment for three people. Contact: Lynn Standing at 867-336-4687

Raven Recycling Society – $41,500 to create a plan for a community gathering/conference, develop a Zero Waste Event tool kit, a Waste on your Waist tool kit, and an educational video entitled Zero Waste Starts Now. The project will create 375 hours of employment for four to five people. Contact: Joy Snyder at 867-667-7269 ext.2

Tr’ondek Hwëch’in First Nation – $57,173 to develop a network of single track mountain bike trails on the Midnight Dome above Dawson City for use by local bike enthusiasts and to expand on adventure recreation and adventure tourism potential in the region. The project will create 2,699 hours of employment for six people. Contact: Jennifer Nunan at 867-993-7165

Village of Teslin – $29,480 to install new washroom facilities at both Friendship Park and the Ball Diamond. The project will create 160 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Shelley Hassard at 867-390-2530

Volunteer Bénévoles Yukon – $35,810 to review the organization’s communication tools and processes, improve the offer of online resources and training and develop board and staff capacity. The project will create 681 hours of employment for seven people. Contact: Bruno Bourdache at 867-456-4304

Whitehorse Baptist Church – $75,000 to build a washhouse addition to the main building at the Marsh Lake Bible Camp, bringing the facility up to environmental health and campground codes. The project will create 40 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Shannon Duke at 867-668-3103

Yukon Avalanche Association – $28,732 to deliver youth-targeted avalanche awareness events and outreach programs throughout the winter of 2014/15. The project will create 320 hours of employment for six people. Contact: Jeni Rudisill at 867-332-5364

Yukon Church Heritage Society – $45,240 to undertake conservation, restoration and repairs to the exterior of the Old Log Rectory. The project will create 130 hours of employment for four people. Contact: Linda Thistle at 867-633-6255

Yukon Council on Disability – $46,272 to develop the Yukon Framework and Implementation for the Canadian Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The project’s three objectives are: to develop skills, knowledge and employment capacity of persons with disabilities and their organizations; to engage key stakeholders; and to provide information to Yukon government and the Department of Justice regarding current programs and services from the perspective of people with disabilities. The project will create 100 hours of employment for one person. Contact: Lisa Rawlings-Bird at 867-668-6703

Yukon Freestyle Ski Association – $74,984 to build a summer ramp at Mt. Sima to allow freestyle athletes in Yukon and from across Canada to train during summer months. The project will create 80 hours of employment for 10 people. Contact: Lynda Harlow at 867-393-3369

Yukon Historical and Museums Association – $27,869 for coordination and planning services that will support a major international conference on the role and contributions of Yukon and the North in World War I. The project will create 780 hours of employment for one person. Contact: Nancy Oakley at 867-667-4704

Yukon Transportation Museum Society – $58,705 to improve interpretive ability, revenue generation potential, security and curbside appeal for the Yukon Transportation Museum. The project will create 770 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Janna Swales at 867-668-4792

YuKonstruct Makerspace Society – $75,000 to empower Yukon innovators by assisting with funding to launch the “PowerUp” project. Contact: Logan Sherk at 867-335-2216

NT5

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