The City of Dauphin and the host committee for the 2010 RBC Cup will receive $156,500 in grants to help prepare for the National Junior A Championship, Manitoba premier Gary Doer announced on Tuesday.

“The Manitoba government is proud to support the 2010 RBC Cup and looks forward to seeing one of the province’s great cities showcased,” said Doer. “We are pleased to be working with the City of Dauphin and the host committee to help make this event a reality.”

The 2010 RBC Cup host committee will receive the $156,500 grant to fund upgrades to the Parkland Recreation Complex including dressing-room improvements, press-box renovations and power upgrades. The grant will also assist with improvements to the facility’s kitchen and ice-resurfacing equipment.

The Manitoba government has already provided $1.8 million in support to the Parkland Recreation Complex.

“The 2010 RBC Cup host committee is very appreciative of the provincial support to host the National Junior A Championship,” said co-chair Randy Daley.  “These improvements to Credit Union Place at the Parkland Recreation Complex will ensure we are able to organize a world-class, national event in rural Manitoba.”

“With the support of the Province of Manitoba we are now able to showcase our first-class facilities nationally and work to attract more sports/tourism events, an important economic driver in our community,” said Dauphin mayor Alex Paul. “Dauphin continues to prove that a rural city is capable of organizing successful major events, such as the 2010 RBC Cup.”

It’s estimated the RBC Cup will generate a $2-million boost to the regional economy.