A number of community clubs across Winnipeg will receive upgrades following an announcement about additional city funding made last week.

Mayor Sam Katz, with a number of city councillors, announced on June 21 that the city would provide $560,000 through its community centre renovation grant  program to 17 community centres.

Centres can apply for up to $50,000 in funding for renovations each year, and there will be two intake periods.

The spring intake has an application deadline of May 1, while the fall intake has a deadline of Nov. 1.

Clubs receiving grants include Central, Glenwood, Luxton, Melrose Park, Northwood, Park City West, Tuxedo, Westdale, Windsor, Chalmers, Heritage Victoria, Maples, North Kildonan, Notre Dame, Roblin Park, Waverley Heights, and Wildwood.

Neill Matthews, president of Chalmers which received $26,000 to renovate two of its washrooms, said support from the city is essential to the survival of community centres.

"If it wasn’t for the city providing this to centres everything would go down hill," said Matthews, who has been president of the club for four years.

"You have to keep updating or people think you don’t care. But they love it when they see you updating the facilities for the community and youth."

Katz said the program, which was approved by city council earlier this year, will ensure community centre boards have the necessary funds available to improve their facility.

"These centres are the lifeblood of our city. When a window breaks, or the floor starts to come up, we want the volunteer boards to have access to committed funding," the mayor said.

Coun. Thomas Steen (Elmwood-East Kildonan) said the additional funding will be welcome news for clubs in his ward.

"When this was announced I was encouraged to see our city’s commitment to recreational opportunities," Steen said.

"I knew many centres in my ward would take advantage of this."

Matthews said there are already plans to apply for the grant next year to make additional improvements at the centre.

"Our washrooms here are so old it will be great once we get the men and women’s upstairs (washrooms) done," he said.

"Hopefully next year we can get the other washrooms done as well."

For more information on CCRG visit http://winnipeg.ca/cms/recreation/facilities/communitycentres.stm.

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adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com