Six construction projects in Hamilton will share in $3.6 million in federal finding.

Public Services and Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi announce the investment through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund and the Tourism Relief Fund on August 26.

The Lister Building in central Hamilton received over $492,500 to create a new mixed-use exhibit and programming space called “The Visitor Experience Centre.” This new space will offer an enhanced visitor gateway to boost Hamilton’s tourism and heritage experiences.

Two other projects will receive contributions of $750,000: work to restore and adapt St. Mark's Church for use as a cultural programming space, and the redevelopment of Beasley Park's accessible path network and conversion of Kelly Street into public green space.

Also funded are projects to improve accessibility and outdoor infrastructure at Victoria Park, to improve washroom accessibility at several recreation facilities across the city, and to build additional accessible programming space at the Hamilton Children's Museum, a heritage building located in Gage Park in downtown central-east Hamilton.

“Hamilton is growing as a top tourist destination thanks to our bustling arts scene, diverse restaurants, and natural features like our many waterfalls,” said Fred Eisenberger. “We thank our federal partners for this generous investment through the Canada Community Relief Fund and Tourism Relief Fund towards six local projects, including a new Visitor Experience Centre, all that will further enhance tourism in Hamilton and support jobs in several sectors."

The City of Hamilton is the fifth largest municipality in Ontario with a population of more than 578,000, and an additional 785,000 throughout its census metropolitan area. 

Valued at $500 million over two years, the Canada Community Revitalization Fund supports projects that build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets. It includes $139 million for projects in southern Ontario, delivered by FedDev Ontario.

The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund, meanwhile, is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.

Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $68 million in 89 projects in the Hamilton census division, estimated to create and maintain over 2,400 jobs.