City awarded $750,000 from Federal Government’s Canada Community Revitalization Fund

Medicine Hat – Medicine Hat’s Towne Square project has been awarded $750,000 in grant funding through the Government of Canada’s ‘Canada Community Revitalization Fund’ (CCRF).

The CCRF is a two-year, $500 million national infrastructure program meant to support communities across the country in building and improving community infrastructure. PrairiesCan administers the CCRF in Alberta.

The Government of Canada is specifically investing in community initiatives that revitalize downtown cores and main streets, reinvent outdoor spaces, create green infrastructure and create accessibility of community spaces.

“It is always welcome news to see funding from other levels of government come to our city and we are very grateful for this contribution from the Federal Government,” said Mayor Linnsie Clark. “The Towne Square project has generated a lot of conversation in our community. We look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders to build on their existing successes and bring this new space to life.”

The goal of Medicine Hat’s Towne Square is to contribute to community vibrancy and the vitality of the downtown neighborhood. The space is meant to be a catalyst to attract residents and tourists to the core and support local shopping within the area. This flexible community space will offer a rotating slate of sights, sounds, and smells that create new experiences for guests to return.

“Our government is enabling communities to reinvent outdoor spaces into modern gathering places for residents of all ages and abilities through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund,” said the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan. “Today’s investment to revitalize Medicine Hat’s Towne Square will offer a space for community gatherings, events and activities that are vital for generating economic growth and maintaining a high quality of life for residents.”

“Accessible and modern outdoor venues and gathering spaces are at the heart of communities across Alberta, bringing people together, supporting businesses and offering memorable tourism experiences,” said the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance. “Today’s investment in Medicine Hat’s Towne Square supports the creation of a vibrant space for residents and visitors to gather for future community activities and festivals for years to come.”

Towne Square also received funding through the Province of Alberta’s Municipal Stimulus Fund in 2020.

The federal investment of $750,000 is expected to support jobs, increase accessibility to community spaces for residents and visitors, and support investment attraction and business activity.

“We are thrilled that our federal government is investing in community projects like Towne Square,” says Eric Van Enk, Invest Medicine Hat managing director with the City of Medicine Hat. “This funding will be used to support the transformation of the basic parking lot to an innovative and inclusive community space. With this additional contribution, the project has been almost entirely funded by federal and provincial grant dollars.”
Stay up to date with the Towne Square project at www.investmedicinehat.ca.

- 30 -

For further information, please contact
media@medicinehat.ca