FLUSH WITH FUNDS  Executive director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC) Susan Clovechok, CVCC president Amanda Robinson, Windermere District Historical Society president Margaret Christensen and Royal Canadian Legion Windermere District Branch #71 president Ken Carlow joined Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks to celebrate the $126,780 in federal funds split between the three organizations.

FLUSH WITH FUNDS Executive director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC) Susan Clovechok, CVCC president Amanda Robinson, Windermere District Historical Society president Margaret Christensen and Royal Canadian Legion Windermere District Branch #71 president Ken Carlow joined Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks to celebrate the $126,780 in federal funds split between the three organizations.

Theres now an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation with community-based projects that are expected to grow in the future.

On July 31st, David Wilks, MP of Kootenay-Columbia, announced the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Royal Canadian Legion Windermere District Branch #71 and the Windermere District Historical Society had been selected to receive financial support from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is part of Canada 150 Celebrates the federal government’s celebration of Canada whereby it offers investments in community infrastructure that celebrate heritage, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Canadians with $150 million released to support projects over two years.

There were three groups in Invermere (that) were successful in getting funding through the Canada 150 program, said Mr. Wilks. Im very happy that Invermere was able to get three of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program applications. It goes to show that those who wrote the grants did very well at explaining what they wanted to do, and thats great.

The local Legion branch received $50,000 for electrical, heating and ventilation upgrades. The total project is expected to cost $100,000 and the Legion will be responsible for coming up with the remainder of the costs.

Im looking forward to seeing it completed some time in 2016, said Ken Carlow, Royal Canadian Legion Windermere District Branch #71 president.

The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce received $74,530 for renovations to the parking lot and landscaping to increase the appeal and accessibility of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, including its Visitor Information Centre, bathrooms and meeting spaces.

The project will include upgrades to the reception desk and boardroom, bathrooms (including baby changing station additions), energy efficient light fixtures, sound absorbing foam in the event hall and increased access to the picnic grounds.

This building was built in 2000 and its starting to wear out, particularly our parking lot, which is where a major portion of our funds will be going too, said Susan Clovechok, executive director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. Its a $150,000 project.

The Windermere District Historical Society received $2,250 for painting the exterior of their building.

Thanks Heavens, we got the grant and now we only need to raise half of the money, said Margaret Christensen, Windermere District Historical Society president. Were very pleased to be part of the program.

Mr. Wilks closed the ceremony by serving up celebratory cake and spoke with people from the community about the initiatives.

Were very proud of those people for ensuring those applications were top notch, said Mr. Wilks.