Calgary – Wednesday October 20, 2021: The Rural Communities Foundation is pleased to
announce the winners of the $100,000 grant during Co-operative Week in Canada.
The five communities who will share the $100,000 in RCF funding are:
The Drayton Valley and District Historical Society will receive $10,000 to restore the original
wood floor in the old Anglican Church, built in 1937. The church was donated to the historical
society in 1997. Last year old linoleum was removed from the church and to their surprise the
original wood floor was discovered.
The Bow Valley Riding Association in Canmore, Alta., will receive $13,335 to build a 720-metre
fence around part of their riding area. The fence will make the facility safer, especially for
young horses and riders. The association plans to build a Montana-style rail fence that will
allow wildlife to pass over and under, but deter hikers and mountain bikers that may scare the
horses.
The Carmangay Community Centre will receive $22,365 to install commercial-grade flooring
and noise-reducing ceiling tiles in the main hall. In 2019, the association bought the empty
building for a badly needed community centre. It is now used for meetings, community
suppers, markets and children's programs.
The Eaglesham and District Agricultural Society will receive $24,300 for a sun shelter at their
fairgrounds. The fabric shelter will replace old games and food booths and increase the comfort
of visitors no matter the weather. During the summer the park is used daily for private and
community events.
The Nampa and District Historical Society will receive $30,000 to convert a historical United
Church into a community cultural centre that is wheelchair accessible. The historical society
will use the church as an extension of the museum to deliver cultural and heritage programs,
plus house important museum artifacts.
Congratulations to this year's recipients.
"There were many strong applicants this year and the judges had a difficult time narrowing the
choices to just five winners," said RCF board chair, Harvey Hagman.
"Through these applications we saw the strength of rural communities and the commitment to
keep rural communities sustainable in these difficult times."
The mandate of the foundation is to improve the sustainability of farmers and ranchers in
Alberta by improving access to funding for educational, recreational and cultural facilities and
programs in Alberta.
In 2019, the winning projects were in Paradise Valley, Delia and Onoway. In 2020, the winning
projects were in Pincher Creek, Irvine, Castor and Vegreville. Information and photos of these
projects are on the website. www.rcfufa.com.
For more information on the foundation, please go to our website or email info@rcfufa.com.
Follow us on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on the winning projects and
highlights from the previous winners.
The UFA Rural Communities Foundation announced a $500,000 commitment over five years to
rural communities. We look forward to giving another $100,000 in 2022.
As an agricultural co-operative, UFA has always given back to its members. The RCF is just one
more way we support rural communities.
Here is today's video announcement:
Password for video: unitedfarmers
Media Contact:
Mary MacArthur: 780-608-0593
RCF Co-ordinator
