(Jan. 26, 2021) – For years, Co-op has been creating places for Western Canadians. This year, as we’ve been staying safe by staying apart, Co-ops continue to invest in spaces for when we can safely come back together.

Co-op Community Spaces was launched in 2015 to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. Since then, it has provided $9.5 million to 132 projects that improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of local communities. This includes previous projects such as $60,000 to the Natural Playground upgrades at the Annieville Lions Park in Delta, $90,000 to the Willband Creek Environmental Viewing Platform in Abbotsford, $85,000 to the Chilliwack YMCA Childminding Playground and $72,000 to enhance the Earthwise Agassiz Teaching Farm. Last year, $70,000 was donated to build a covered pavilion at Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park, located in Aldergrove at Jackman Wetlands Park. Once completed, the Co-op Community Pavilion will help enhance this popular disc golf course and create a place where communities can truly gather.

Entering its seventh year, the program is dedicating $1 million in funding and is accepting applications for capital projects that will improve spaces across Western Canada.

“Locally, Otter Co-op is proud to support organizations and projects that make a difference to our members and our community,” said Jack Nicholson of Otter Co-op. “Finding ways to support our community is even more important as we’ve been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re looking forward to a time when we’ll all be able to gather as a community again and we encourage all of our community organizations who could benefit from capital funding to apply.”

Capital funding between $25,000 and $150,000 per project is available. Co-op invites registered non-profit organizations, registered charities or community service co-operatives to apply online between February 1 and March 1, 2021. Program funding categories include recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture.

Federated Co-operatives Limited administers the giving program on behalf of more than 160 independent local co-ops across Western Canada that form the Co-operative Retailing System.

To learn more about Co-op Community Spaces or apply for funding, visit communityspaces.ca.