Record 50 Infrastructure Grants Awarded by Western Financial Group - 2016

Funds support local projects aimed at strengthening communities in Western Canada

High River, AB – Western Financial Group (Western), through its charitable arm, the Western Communities Foundation, has awarded a record 50 infrastructure grants totaling $250,000 for 2016. The number of grants awarded this year increased from 40 awarded in 2015. Each $5,000 grant will go toward various projects supporting public health, public housing, education, and recreation in the communities where Western operates. In accordance with the program guidelines, grants must be awarded to municipalities or registered charities.

Funds for the infrastructure grants are raised by employees of Western through an annual Support the Cause Day Walk and other charitable ventures. Winners are then chosen from a pool of deserving nominees put forth by each office.

“We are beyond excited that our budget allowed us to add an additional 10 grants this year. These communities support us, and we love that we are able to support them in return,” said James Bond, Executive Chairman of the Western Communities Foundation.

2016 Grants

Alberta

Barrhead: Community pool

Bashaw: Volunteer fire department - new rescue unit

Bassano: Curling rink - repairs

Bow Island: Senator Gershaw School - greenhouse project

Brooks: New library - shelving and furnishings

Clive: Clive School - greenhouse project

Cold Lake: Lakeland Humane Society

Coleman: New mobile stage for community use

Hanna: City of Hanna - upgrade to Arena

High River: Notre Dame School - outdoor seating

Mayerthorpe: New splash park

Red Deer: City of Red Deer - new downtown arena

Turner Valley: Boys & Girls Club - new bike track

Vermilion: Community hall - sound system

Wainwright: Wainwright Elementary School - new playground

British Columbia

Coquitam: Tri-cities - dialysis unit upgrade

Coronation: City of Coronation - new seating area for the swimming pool

Cranbrook: East Kootenay Regional Hospital - MRI machine

Cranbrook: Idlewild Park - dam replacement & park upgrades

Duncan: Chemainus Elementary School - playground equipment

Fernie: Tom Uphill Manor – facility upgrades

Fruitvale: Fruitvale Elementary School - new playground

Golden: Community park – upgrade washroom structure

Houston: Child care facility - rebuild & expansion

Lake Country: Okanagan Rail Trail

Nanaimo: Uplands Park Elementary School - playground

Nanaimo: Eden Gardens - new facility for dementia patients

Richmond: Homma Elementary School - courtyard upgrade

Salmo: Salmo Community Golf Course - facility and ground upgrades

Sidney: Tulista Skatepark

Smithers: Field house replacement and playground equipment

Sooke: Fred Miln Field - grass replacement

Sparwood: New community skatepark

Surrey: Peace Arch Hospital - emergency room expansion

Surrey: Pacific Heights Elementary School - playground replacement & equipment

Vanderhoof: New swimming pool

Victoria: View Royal Elementary School - playground replacement of

Victoria: Colwood Creek Water / Spray Park

Victoria: Little Waves Daycare - upgrade for deck & handicap access

Victoria: Glanford School - playground replacement

Victoria: Westshore Family Centre - playground upgrade

Victoria: Victoria Native Friendship Centre - new playground at community centre

Manitoba

Brandon: New women's home for those struggling with addictions

Gilbert Plains: Electronic sign for community events

Roblin: Roblin Swimming Pool - stair replacement

Winnipeg: Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre - hospital & education Centre

Saskatchewan

Estevan: Habitat for Humanity

LeRoy: Humboldt District Hospital - horizon clip applicator for operating room

Weyburn: Weyburn Humane Society - shelter upgrade

Wolseley/Glenavon: Glenavon Curling Rink – upgrade / ceiling repair

About Western Financial Group and the Western Communities Foundation

Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance company that serves more than 800,000 customers across western Canada. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western provides personal and business insurance services through 157 office locations and affiliates. With a skilled team of almost 1,800 employees, Western is committed to building the strongest insurance brokerage network in Western Canada. Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada.

The Western Communities Foundation was founded by Western Financial Group in 2002 as a non-profit organization under the Income Tax Act of Canada (Registration #87030 2619 RR0001). The Foundation’s core donation programs include community infrastructure grants, exceptional achievement bursaries for graduating high school students, and matching grants. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has raised more than $2 million to support the communities in which Western Financial Group operates.