In all, over $2.2 million will be distributed to nine Niagara entities via the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Pictured clockwise at Thursday’s virtual announcement: Minister Lisa MacLeod, Branch 393 poppy chair Kathey Putman, MPP Sam Oosterhoff, Branch 612 poppy chair Terry Miller.
In a virtual announcement Thursday, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod and MPP for Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff announced over $2.2 million in provincial funding to help several Niagara non-profit organizations and local municipalities finance a variety of community projects.
The funding is being provided through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Community Building Fund.
“COVID-19 has been a challenge for so many not-for-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations, and I am proud that our government is supporting their recovery though the Community Building Fund,” said MPP Oosterhoff.
In all, nine entities from across Niagara will receive funding, including $58,500 for Branch 612 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Beamsville, and $60,900 for Branch 393 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Smithville.
“Organizations such as the Beamsville and Smithville legions are the bedrock of our community,” said MPP Oosterhoff. “By helping them weather the storm, we are ensuring people across West Niagara will have the opportunity to safely reconnect with the many things that make this community special.”
The funding will assist both legions in creating more accessible parking, washrooms, and entrances.
“We are more than thrilled here in Smithville to be receiving this [funding],” said Branch 393 poppy chair Kathey Putman. “You folks have made our dreams come true.”
In addition to helping the Beamsville and Smithville legions enhance accessibility, $78,900 of the funding will go toward helping Heartland Forest in Niagara Falls install accessible concrete walkways.
The remainder of the funding will be distributed as follows: $139,600 for the South Niagara Canoe Club in Welland to create socially-distanced outdoor space for dryland training; $214,000 for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to replace the roof of Centennial Arena; $218,400 for the Niagara Cricket Club in Thorold to install improved lighting; $489,800 for the Town of Pelham to make important upgrades at Centennial Park in Fenwick (previously announced); $498,000 for the YMCA of Niagara to replace flooring and install automatic doors at three health, fitness and aquatic centres; and $500,000 for the Town of Fort Erie to install a new splash pad.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our government has supported those struggling the most,” said Minister MacLeod.
“These capital grants will help municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations make repairs or upgrades needed to their sport and recreation facilities to adapt to the pressures of the pandemic so they can continue to deliver programming critical to the economic and social well-being of communities across the province once their doors reopen.”
In total, the province’s Community Building Fund is investing $105 million to support community arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport, and recreation organizations that are experiencing significant financial pressures due to COVID-19.
Since its launch, Ontario has provided 834 Community Building Fund grants to community organizations, municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit sport and recreation organizations.
For a full list of capital stream recipients, visit the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s website.
