Eastern Ontario projects collect $12M in federal, provincial funding
Several community projects in eastern Ontario received cash injections from the federal and provincial governments earlier this month.
In Renfrew, the governments announced nearly $12 million in funding to expand and improve the Ma-te-Way Activity Centre.
The project includes expanding the current community arena and hall to include an Indigenous Cultural Centre, an additional ice pad, a walking track, fitness centre, gymnasium and multipurpose rooms. The expansion will allow the centre to improve access to cultural infrastructure and better meet community needs through enhanced recreational facilities.
The Town of Renfrew is also contributing over $4.2 million to the project.
"Through this incredible commitment of financial support by our federal and provincial government partners, the Town of Renfrew will see the creation of a community hub that provides a central access point for a range of much needed health, cultural, recreational, and green spaces to nourish community life,” said Renfrew Mayor Don Eady. “Our relationship with our Algonquin friends is a long-standing one, and I’m pleased that this announcement also makes possible the creation of the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation Indigenous Cultural Centre, which will nurture bi-cultural awareness through the sharing of traditions, customs, values, spirituality and the life-sustaining resources of the land."
Meanwhile, in Peterborough, the governments have earmarked more than $6 million for four community and recreational infrastructure projects. The funding recipients are also contributing a combined $2.2 million.
In the City of Peterborough, joint funding will support the renovation of the Mount Community Centre to improve accessibility and operations. Interior work includes upgrading washrooms and installing an elevator to allow clients to move around the facility with greater ease. Exterior renovations include measures to improve storm water management, replacement of sanitary lines, and the addition of new accessible parking spaces.
Another project, in Asphodel-Norwood, calls for a 3,500-square foot expansion to a community centre. The expansion will include a studio space, fitness area and accessible change rooms and showers.
"The expansion to the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre will not only benefit residents of the Township, but the six other local municipalities that currently utilize the centre,” said Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. “This investment will help the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre expand its building to offer more services and provide improved access to recreational activities."
A third project calls for improvements to the Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Community Centre. The project involves multiple upgrades, including the installation of an elevator and other access improvements. In addition, the roof system will be replaced, the refrigeration system improved, the basement area will be repurposed to create new space for recreational events and programming, and the fire alarm and suppression systems will be replaced.
The fourth project calls for the improvement of a multi-use trail system to prevent erosion.