NWT - The final instalment of a five-year, 38 million cost-sharing fund to improve territorial infrastructure was doled out to five NWT communities last week.

Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice, left, and NWT Environment Minister Michael Miltenberger announced the final $6.3-million in the $38-million, five-year Municipal and Rural Infrastructure Fund, a cost-sharing project between the federal government and the GNWT. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

Environment Minister Jim Prentice made the announcement during a visit to Yellowknife. The funding – shared between Ottawa, the GNWT and each community -- will go towards $6.9 million worth of projects in Yellowknife, Norman Wells, Inuvik, Fort Simpson and Hay River – the federal contribution via the program amounts to $1.7 million and another $530,000 from the Building Canada Fund.

"This fund allows us to work together and set priorities," Prentice said, adding the Municipal and Rural Infrastructure Fund will expire in March 2010.

"These projects will support priorities like clean water in households and will help improve swimming pools and arenas where kids play and where adults come together to strengthen their community bonds."

Michael Miltenberger, minister of Environment and Natural Resources, said he was pleased to see the final amount of allotted money was going to improve infrastructure within NWT communities.

"It's allowed us to make our money go farther which is always the case we value with partnerships," said Miltenberger.

"We're going to put this $6.3 million to good use. It's all going to be for the betterment of Northerners."

Prentice made the announcement on behalf of Chuck Strahl, minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. With the five-year fund coming to an end, Prentice, praised it as a success, and said he hopes the federal government will continue with a similar fund in some form or another in the future.

"There will be discussion about that in the days ahead between our governments," said Prentice.

"Our focus has been on making sure the dollars that have been allocated so far are properly spent, and given our economic circumstances and our need for stimulus, that they are invested quickly and create jobs right across Canada."

Where the money will go:

Inuvik
Inuvik will receive the lion's share of the Government of Canada infusion. More than $500,000 from Ottawa and nearly $340,000 worth of GNWT funding will offset the cost of five projects estimated at approximately $2.8 million. Inuvik plans to spend more than $1.5 million of its own money to improve energy efficiency at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, replace wooden utilidors and phase two of an advanced metre reader system.

Norman Wells
Norman Wells is spending $1.5 million to upgrade a section of utilidor. Ottawa is putting up a bulk of the money -- $750,000 through the cost sharing initiative and the Building Canada Fund.

Fort Simpson
Fort Simpson will spend $259,552 on improving energy efficiency at the village's maintenance garage. Canada is contributing $97,319 to the project.

Hay River
The Town of Hay River will spend $300,000 to install a heat reclamation system at the Hay River recreation centre designed to take excess heat from the ammonia refrigeration system and pump it to other parts of the facility.

Yellowknife
Yellowknife will spend $2 million -- $1.7 million for the replacement of corrugated metal sewer pipes and another $300,000 to upgrade the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool heating system. Canada will put up $644,000 towards the projects, $100,00 will come from the GNWT and the city will foot the bill for the remaining $1.2 million.