Nine community projects receive more than $126,000

Community garden site in Watson Lake

Nine community projects have been awarded a total of $126,801 in Tier 1 funding from the Community Development Fund.

The projects include new equipment for a Watson Lake daycare hot-meal program, ice maintenance equipment for the ice rink in Old Crow, a new mower for the Faro Golf Course and a 12-week Youth of Today Society reconciliation initiative.

The Community Development Fund provides funding for projects, events and initiatives that offer long-term, sustainable economic and social benefits for Yukon communities.

Backgrounder 

Community Development Fund Tier 1 January 15, 2019, Intake Approved Projects

Watson Lake Daycare Center Society – $4,331 – To purchase a dishwasher, kitchen supplies and the equipment necessary to deliver a hot-meal program at the daycare which will be an important and welcome addition to the services provided. The community depends on the daycare to provide quality care and programming. Contact: Vanessa Law 867- 536-2167.

Watson Lake Creative Playgroup Society – $19,456 – To construct a community garden in Watson Lake. The society will construct and coordinate a community garden for members of the community to participate in growing their own food and to learn about growing and consuming healthy food. This will create opportunities to utilize and share local knowledge and create a welcoming and social environment that encourages more active lifestyles. The project will create 250 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Elizabeth Bauman 867-536-7423.

Faro Golf Club – $16,368 – To purchase a zero-turn mower for Faro Golf Course. Faro Golf Course is a popular destination for visitors to Faro, including those participating in the annual golf tournament. Golf is also a popular outdoor activity for many people who live in Faro. It contributes employment and economic benefits to the community as well as positively impacting the well-being and physical activity of residents. A new mower will provide the course with a piece of equipment needed to keep the course viable and attractive. Contact: June Hampton 867-994-3443.

Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation – $5,221 – To purchase ice maintenance equipment that will facilitate a safer and more enjoyable experience for users of the Old Crow ice rink. Old Crow has limited indoor recreation facilities and the rink is an important source of winter physical activity for both adults and youth. Contact: Lindsay Johnston 867-966-3261.

Yukon Invasive Species Council – $13,450 – The 2019 Invasive Species Pilot Project will involve hiring a coordinator to facilitate community weed-pull events throughout Whitehorse for the 2019 season. This project will allow Yukon Invasive Species Council to increase the number of weed-pull events in areas that have invasive plant infestations. If successful this project will develop local capacity for community-based invasive species management. The project will create 350 hours of employment for one person. Contact: Andrea Altherr 867-335-0827.

Challenge Disability Resource Group – $20,000 – To develop a new global management plan which will clearly describe how the organization and its social enterprises will operate. Challenge will hire a consultant to create a new five-year plan and identify ways to streamline services, prepare the group for competitive program delivery, and prepare for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities Certification. The project will create 70 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Jillian Hardie 867-668-4421.

Nakai Theatre Ensemble – $20,000 – To research, plan and develop a new summer outdoor theatre program for Yukon. Over a ten-day period in August, Nakai Theatre Ensemble will bring together ten co-designers and two project assistants, both Yukoners and nationally renowned arts leaders, to design and prototype a successful annual landscape-based program. This project will create 400 hours of employment for 12 people. Contact: Jenna Winter (867) 393-6040.

Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous – $19,575 – To hire two consultants to develop a new five-year strategic plan to strengthen governance, marketing, partnerships and fiscal responsibility and to develop policy for human resources, financial and festival operations. A strong strategic plan and policy framework will help Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous meet the needs of their community regarding their constantly evolving festival, help with community interaction and guide the development of the organization in a productive and sustainable manner. This project will create 400 hours of employment for two people. Contact: Daniel van Kessel 867-667-2148.

Youth of Today Society – $8,400 – This project will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants to design and construct a traditional button blanket that reflects what reconciliation means to them. Participants will meet weekly over a 12-week period to work on the blanket. Meetings will include at least two visits to Whistle Bend Continuing Care Facility and Copper Ridge Place to enable Elders and seniors to participate. Throughout the project participants will learn how to create the blanket and be encouraged to gain a greater understanding of one another through sharing traditional values and culture. This project will create 90 hours of employment for three people. Contact: Lancelot Burton 867-633-9687.

Media contact 

Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7449
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca

Jason Seaton
Communications, Economic Development
867-667-5907
jason.seaton@gov.yk.ca

News release #: 
19-077