For the second time in just over a month, Vale Canada has made a six-figure contribution to the City of Thompson and associated entities for ongoing projects.
The latest cash infusion, announced Jan. 27, is of up to $125,000 for the purchase of software to help the city better manage its assets.
“Vale is proud to support the City of Thompson with community development initiatives that strengthen and improve the sustainability of Thompson and the region,” said Gary Annett, head of Vale Manitoba Operations. “Vale recognizes the benefits of an asset management program for efficient long-term planning and knows from experience the importance of integrated operations scheduling for cost savings and sustainable improvement.”
A long-term plan to help the city stay aware of all its assets, including buildings, parks and equipment, and of the upkeep they require, the asset management plan will include a central database accessible to staff at different levels and in different departments. The system will also enable the city to track the cost of maintenance over time and, along with current software, keep track of labour hours and more.
“Planning for sustainability is a critical issue in Thompson, both for the city and for Vale, and we’ll continue to work together as we make big investments into our future in the north,” said Mayor Colleen Smook. “We need a strong plan to make sure those investments last, and we need the right tools to make good on those plans. A clear and complete database for asset management is central to that success.”
Just before Christmas, Vale provided $250,000 to the Thompson community wellness and public safety committee to fund a new shelter in place program to house homeless people in the old University College of the North building that will eventually become Thompson’s sobering centre.
