Co-op Community Spaces has been developed to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. In keeping with our ongoing commitment to invest in the communities we serve, Co-op will contribute up to $1 million to help support projects that improve the places Western Canadians meet, play, learn and share.

In 2021, Medicine Hat Food and Wellness Hub, now known as the Co-op Community Cafe housed within the Root Cellar received a $125,000 grant. The funds were used to build a food and wellness hub for low income families to access to promote food security, health and give support to those in need within the community.  The space includes four teaching kitchens, an emergency pantry for people to access when they need food, a garden, a children's play space and a cafe with outdoor seating named the "Co-op Community Cafe"

In 2019, the Helen Schuler Nature Centre received a $100,000 grant to rebuild their outdoor classroom, while the Medicine Hat Public Library received almost $75,000 to develop the children's play space within the library. 

In 2017, The Society of Grasslands Naturalists ($150,000) applied to renovate the interpretive centre at Police Point Park in Medicine Hat. Upgrades to the floor, doorways and washrooms made the facility — which hadn't been updated since its construction in 1982 — more accommodating to all members of the community, ensuring it remains an important community hub long into the future.

The Redcliff Scout and Guide Building Association ($25,500) upgraded the kitchen in its building, replaced old furnaces and well-worn kitchen countertops, drawers and doors. Now that renovations are complete, the facility is better able to accommodate the community’s Scout and Guide groups, as well as other community members who use the facility.

The Lethbridge Interfaith Food Bank Society ($150,000) developed a vacant space in its facility, turning it into a community room and commercial kitchen. The new space is used by the food bank’s local partners to provide complementary programming, accommodate guests, and serve families in need.

Do you know of a local project that could use a financial boost? Funding of $25,000 — $150,000 per project will be available.

Application Period for 2023: February 1 — March 1, 2023

There are three eligible categories:

Recreation — Providing enhanced recreation spaces in community.
Environmental Conservation — Preservation of natural spaces in the community.
Urban Agriculture — Small-scale community agriculture initiatives in both rural and urban spaces.

Find more information about applying, previous awarded projects, and more here.