A decision by the Manitoba government to place a popular granting program under review will have an effect in area small towns. The province is looking to ensure funding will provide a measurable return on investment and therefore has paused the intake of applications to the Community Places Program.

Angie Shindle is the Manager of Recreation Services for the Town of Carman and R.M. of Dufferin. She says putting the program on hold jeopardizes the efforts of numerous local non-profit organizations that use Community Places funding to help pay for facility and playground improvements.

"I personally felt like it (the program) was reaching communities that needed it and non-profits that needed the funding. I didn't think that there was much need for any tweaking."

Shindle adds the news was especially disheartening because the Carman-Dufferin Recreation Committee had already started the application process, looking for extra funds to help pay for upgrades to the local swimming pool. She says members will now be asking for some extra dollars from both the Town and R.M. councils.

Meantime, the province says projects approved for funding prior to the review can proceed toward completion.