2 Edmonton organizations target of revitalization amid federal budget announcement

Rapid Fire Theatre and the Bissell Centre will each receive part of the Build Communities Strong fund for infrastructure improvements.

Two organizations in Edmonton have been highlighted as recipients of new federal funding for their ongoing efforts in the community.

Eleanor Olszewski, the minister for emergency management, community resilience and Prairies economic development, reiterated the benefits of the recently announced federal budget at the Rapid Fire Theatre Saturday afternoon.

Rapid Fire Theatre and the Bissell Centre are two of the Edmonton targets of Canada’s Build Communities Strong Fund announced earlier this week.

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The $51 billion federal fund over 10 years is set to create infrastructure improvements across the country.

Funding for the Bissell Centre is earmarked at $2.9 million with Rapid Fire Theatre expected to get $2.3 million in federal funding.

Olszewski told CTV News Edmonton both Rapid Fire and Bissell were chosen for being “a community organization that has been around for decades” which “has offered so much to people who are suffering from financial hardship and homelessness.”

Matt Schuurman, the executive director of Rapid Fire Theatre, told CTV News Edmonton any funding they received would go toward a second phase of their efforts to revitalize the brick-and-mortar venue where they host community events.

“Primarily our academy studio space where we teach improv classes to the people of Edmonton, classes where people can learn important life skills, as well as work through things like anxiety or have a fun date night,” he said.

The money will also be put toward educational and outreach programming for underserved communities, he said, and keep the teen program across Alberta running.

“The plans are done … We can hit the ground running as soon as that cheque hits the bank.”

Johanna Knettig, CEO of the Bissell Centre, said the money for the non-profit comes at a time where infrastructural needs have been put on the “back burner.” The Bissell Centre primarily works to provide housing-focused services and family supports in the community.

“We’re still working on those details, but we are really excited about this funding and very happy to share once we’ve finalized all the details,” she said on Saturday.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall