Canada and Ontario invest in 30 community and recreation projects in central Ontario

News release

Grand Valley, Ontario, April 8, 2021— Across the country, Canadians are feeling the impact of COVID-19, on their families, their livelihoods, and their way of life. Together, Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.

Today, Kate Young, Member of Parliament for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and Member of Provincial Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; the Honourable Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues and Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe North; and His Worship Steve Soloman, Mayor of the Town of Grand Valley announced joint funding for 30 community, cultural and recreation projects across central Ontario.  

The Government of Canada is investing over $11.3 million in these projects through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $9 million, while municipalities and other recipients are investing over $7.1 million in their respective projects.

Among the projects funded, improvements to the community centre in Grand Valley will help meet the recreational needs of the growing communities of Grand Valley, Amaranth, and East Garafraxa. Upgrades to the community centre’s arena will replace the fifty-year-old ice surface slab with a new, modern floor and include new dasher boards, concrete work and refrigeration lines. Six new change rooms will also be added.

For Northern Bruce Peninsula, upgrades to the Lion Head’s Community Centre Arena includes constructing six new barrier-free dressing rooms, creating a multi-purpose room and new space for the Bruce County Library, and renovating existing and adding  washrooms to address accessibility. The project will improve the centre’s accessibility and the programming available to residents.

The project in Minto will see improvements to the Palmerston & District Community Centre, including the renovation of existing, and construction of additional, arena dressing rooms; LED lighting upgrades for one of the existing baseball diamonds; and the creation of a third baseball diamond with backstop fencing and stone dust. This project will improve community access to indoor and outdoor recreational programs and activities and will help better serve the non-profit community sports groups that use the baseball diamonds and ice rink.

Additional investments in other recreation and community projects across central Ontario include upgrades to improve accessibility to community and recreational centres, rehabilitation of local trail systems, renovations to outdoor parks and sport facilities, and work to improve energy efficiency in multiple facilities across the province.  

All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Ontario to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province when needed most.

Quotes

“Recreational, cultural and community infrastructure is vital for community well-being and development. Today’s investment in 30 recreation and community projects across central Ontario will provide residents access to important recreational programs and services, and modern and accessible facilities for years to come. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

Kate Young, Member of Parliament for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities 

“This investment from both the Federal and Provincial government will benefit all residents in a number of communities across Ontario. The six projects in Dufferin-Caledon include many needed upgrades to our community recreation facilities. These improvements will continue to support our ability to remain both active and healthy.”

The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and Member of Provincial Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“Today’s announcement supporting recreational, cultural and community infrastructure is so important in maintaining strong, healthy and vibrant communities in Central Ontario. The funding of the seven projects within Simcoe North will not only ensure accessibility to programs and amenities for all but will also create jobs in updated spaces that will continue to promote healthy lifestyles and activities.”

The Honourable Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues and Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe North 

“On behalf of the Town of Grand Valley, the Townships of Amaranth and East Garafraxa and the Grand Valley and District Community Centre Board, I extend our appreciation to the Federal and Provincial Governments for their support of this renovation and expansion project. The Grand Valley and District Community Centre has been a cornerstone in our community for over 50 years. Thanks to our federal and provincial partners, we will be able to enjoy this facility for generations to come.”

His Worship Steve Soloman, Mayor of the Town of Grand Valley

Quick facts

  • Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. 

  • Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $8.3 billion in over 2,865 infrastructure projects.

  • Across the province and over the next ten years, Ontario is investing approximately $320 million and Canada is investing approximately $407 million under the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This stream supports the construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities that improve community infrastructure (e.g. community centres, libraries), and support upgrades to recreational venues (e.g. arenas, recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (e.g. theatres, museums). 

  • Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada plan to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community, and other priority infrastructure.

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Contacts

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
chantalle.aubertin@canada.ca

Christine Bujold
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure
416-454-1782
christine.bujold@ontario.ca

Sofia Sousa-Dias
Communications Branch
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
437-991-3391
sofia.sousa-dias@ontario.ca

Meghan Townsend
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer
Town of Grand Valley
519-928-5652
mtownsend@townofgrandvalley.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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