Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Province of Manitoba a camp south of Boissevain will be making some improvement sin 2022.

Camp Koinonia is a year round retreat centre on the shores of Max Lake in Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.

In early May camp officials found out they had secured a grant through Manitoba’s Building Sustainable Communities program.

The Manitoba government is investing more than $25 million through the Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) program to support 427 local and regional projects that will enhance existing public facilities and spaces, and improve the quality of life for all Manitobans.

Matthew Heide is Camp Manager at Camp Koinonia and he appreciates the support and what it will allow them to do when It comes to upgrading the camp’s infrastructure. “We’re excited to be selected again for a grant through that program. We have just over $20,000 coming and we’re going to do some windows in our main lodge and install a kayak lodge for accessibility into the lake.”

“The windows in our main lodge went in early in the 1990’s. They are the windows facing the lake and when the wind blows off the lake especially during the winter months you certainly feel it. Our goal is to make our building more energy efficient.”

The BSC program was launched in 2019 to offer municipalities and non-profit organizations a streamlined process to apply for community grants for planning activities, organizational capacity building projects, equipment costs, capital infrastructure and other local or regional initiatives that enhance the sustainability of their community.

Projects can receive up to 50 per cent toward eligible costs, with a maximum grant of $75,000. The BSC program was expanded in 2021-22 to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs for larger-scale capital projects, with a maximum grant of $300,000. Approved projects, except for planning activities, are required to contribute a minimum of 10 per cent from non-government sources.

“We just purchased 10 kayaks and they’ll be used this summer for our guest groups and summer camp. A kayak launch is about accessibility so for those who may need extra help getting in or out of a kayak or canoe they can use this launch which will help them get in and out safely.”