Wolfdog sanctuary receives provincial funding to upgrade facilities as part of provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program

The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary broke ground on new improvements Friday after receiving $125,000 in funding from the province.

The province is giving a wolfdog sanctuary west of the city funds to upgrade some of its facilities.

The money comes from the province’s Community Enhancement Fund.

The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary will use $125,000 to upgrade its day use and interpretative areas.

Construction is already underway and the wolfdog pack at the sanctuary is growing.

“This year we have already carried out two different rescues,” said Georgina de Caigny, the executive director of the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, which is west of Cochrane.

“We rescued a pack of 10 wolfdogs in April, we just brought in two new wolfdogs a few weeks ago, and we have another slated for later in October, so it’s been a busy year.”

Grants from the Community Enhancement Program will also help pay for upgrades at the Camrose Performing Arts Centre, among other projects, including the Calgary Ukrainian Festival Foundation.

“Every grant tells a story, and our government is proud to be a part of that,” said Tany Fir, Alberta’s minister of arts, culture and status of women, in a media release. “From communities preserving heritage and women gaining strength to children discovering their passions, these investments help create spaces and experiences where people feel safe, encouraged and proud to belong.”

“We are grateful to Alberta’s government for its support through the Community Initiatives Program,” said Jordan Biss, the chair of the Calgary Ukrainian Festival Foundation." For a volunteer-driven festival like ours, this support makes all the difference. It helps us share Ukrainian traditions, bring people together and celebrate culture with the broader community.”