Federal, provincial funding announced for community projects
The federal and provincial governments have announced more than $8 million in funding for a series of community and cultural projects in London, Brampton and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.
The governments will contribute $7.1 million in funding for six projects in London that will improve the town’s sport, recreation and cultural facilities. The money is being provided through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada plan.
The City of London is contributing a further $1 million to their projects, while the remaining recipient funding will amount to nearly $1.6 million.
One of the projects will see significant upgrades to Labatt Park, one of the oldest baseball stadiums in North America. The scope of work will include the installation of accessible washrooms, and the replacement of bleachers and sports field lighting.
“Among other things, the pandemic has reinforced the importance of community, culture, and recreation,” said Mayor Ed Holder. “These joint investments from our federal and provincial partners will help revitalize six important sites across the City of London, ensuring they can be enjoyed by Londoners of all ages for years to come."
An additional five projects will enhance the quality of the community's cultural and recreational infrastructure, benefiting the community by improving building functionality and increasing accessibility for all residents.
The projects include: the rehabilitation of the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre, which will repurpose space to create a teaching kitchen and install an elevator; replacement of the HVAC system, and installation of a new electrical panel at the Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre; a second-floor addition and updated lighting at the Stoney Creek YMCA; upgrades to lighting and building mechanical systems and a larger, more accessible changeroom at the Bob Hayward YMCA; as well as installation of an elevator at the Participation House Support Services' Community Place North location.
"The upgrades to these various community facilities will greatly benefit the residents of London by allowing them to safely access improved cultural and recreational infrastructure,” said London North MP Peter Fragiskatos. “These investments will help continue to provide residents with high quality services that not only bring people together, but also supports the future success of individuals by fostering essential life skills."
In Brampton, the governments announced more than $1 million in funding for the rehabilitation of the South Fletcher's Sportsplex.
The project will create a new youth hub by removing multiple small rooms in the South Fletcher's Sportsplex to provide an open concept space conducive to group activities, while maintaining one to three smaller rooms for individual consultation.
The City of Brampton is providing $376,714 toward the project.
Once complete, the project will provide Brampton youth with a safe and accessible space to complete school work, participate in programming and benefit from various resources and services.
"Brampton is one of the youngest cities in Canada, with more than 130,000 youth ages 14 to 29,” said Mayor Patrick Brown. “Community Youth Hubs will encourage diversity and equity, promote innovative engagement, and provide safe spaces for youth, and enhance our Term of Council Priority that Brampton is a Healthy and Safe City."
Finally, the governments announced more than $250,000 in funding for improvements to the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek community centre.
As part of the project, the community centre's kitchen, gym and washrooms will be refurbished with energy-efficient equipment, appliances, and material. These upgrades will reduce operation and maintenance costs and extend the life of the community centre, which continues to serve as a place of recreation, training, and culture for Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.
"Atikameksheng Anishnawbek is pleased to receive federal and provincial funding to update and renovate the Community Centre,” said Chief Gimaa Craig Nootchtai. “It is a focal point for our Nation and the funding will provide much needed upgrades to enable the Community Centre to continue to serve as a place of recreation, training, and culture for the community.”