WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government has put $750,000 towards 80 projects through Manitoba Heritage Resource Conservation grants for community groups, volunteer organizations and heritage organizations.
The Heritage Resource Conservation Trust was established in 2019 through a $15-million contribution to The Winnipeg Foundation and annual resources from the endowment fund are intended to support heritage conservation projects in perpetuity.
“We are pleased to be able to invest in so many community projects right across our great province in the first round of funding that triples government support for Manitoba’s designated heritage sites,” said Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox in a statement.
“We live, work and play in these wonderful structures every day and preserving pieces of our past becomes even more important as we encourage Manitobans to help keep our COVID-19 curve flat by staying within Manitoba and exploring the beauty right here in our own backyard. We need to maintain these historic structures to help future generations learn about our province’s rich and diverse history.”
One of the projects that received funding is the historic Fraser Block in Brandon with a grant of close to $22,000 to assist with repairs to the building including its sandstone facade. The Fraser Block is one of the first large-scale business buildings outside Winnipeg.
“We are thankful the Province of Manitoba recognizes the importance of preserving heritage buildings because these structures are a visible reminder of our collective past as Manitobans. By locating our business in a heritage building in Brandon’s historic downtown, our goal is to create a unique destination experience for Manitobans, one that blends the past with the present,” Sneath Group president Robyn Sneath said.
The majority of investments through the Heritage Resource Conservation Trust are for repairs and upgrades but building assessments and research can also be funded. Grants range from several hundred dollars up to $25,000 determined by the size and scope of the project.
Additional projects will be announced in the coming weeks, Cox said.
Recent Comments
comments for this post are closed