Grimsby, North York projects share $20 million in funding
The provincial and federal governments have announced nearly $20 million in funding to support infrastructure projects in two communities.
In Grimsby, the province announced funding of more than $16 million on July 6 to support the expansion and renovation of the Peach King Centre.
The centre is a full-service recreation facility and community hub with twin arena pads, an outdoor rink and a splash pad. It is also home to the Town of Grimsby's recreation, facilities, and culture department.
Funding from the province will be used to create a fully equipped community centre with improved accessibility, a full-sized gymnasium, an accessible indoor walking and wheeling track, and a creative outdoor recreation space. The Peach King Centre will also have more gathering spaces and multi-purpose rooms for use by the Grimsby community including youth, cultural, preschool and EarlyON spaces.
“On behalf of Town Council, I want to thank the Government of Ontario for joining with the Town of Grimsby on this important investment in our growing community,” said Grimsby Mayor Jeff Jordan. “The expansion and renovation of the Peach King Centre will enable modern and accessible recreation options for all ages and abilities, creating a new hub for sport and active living in Grimsby. We are very excited to bring this project forward, with the support and partnership of our community clubs and organizations.”
Meanwhile, on July 9, the province and the federal governments announced $3.8 million to support two projects in the Meridian Arts Centre and the North York Seniors Centre in North York.
The project involves a number of accessibility improvements to the theatre seating areas and workspaces at the Meridian Arts Centre to better meet community needs. In the centre’s Lyric Theatre, the George Weston Recital Hall and the Greenwin Theatre, accessible seating will be added and expanded.
Other improvements include the conversion of a control room to a barrier-free workspace, the addition of a lift to allow access to the stage from the orchestra level, and the installation of an elevator for better access to seating areas and to the control room for employees. Once complete, all patrons of the arts, including those living with disabilities will be able to participate in all cultural experiences that the Meridian Arts Centre has to offer.
The Government of Canada is also investing over $66,000 for the renovation of a fitness centre washroom and changeroom at the North York Seniors Centre through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $55,000, and the North York Seniors Centre is contributing more than $44,000.
With this funding, an accessible changeroom for users of the fitness centre will be created and an existing bathroom will be renovated to meet provincial accessibility requirements. This project will help improve access to modern recreational infrastructure and better meet the needs of the community.
"I want to thank both the federal and provincial governments for investing in these two facilities in North York,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “These investments will be of great benefit for both residents today and generations to come. The accessibility upgrades at both the Meridian Arts Centre and the North York Seniors Centre ensure that these gathering places become more widely accessible for people to enjoy and help cultivate a more inclusive city."
Featured image: Peach King Centre. (Town of Grimsby)