KINGSTON — The safety and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Ontario. Investments in Ontario’s infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to create jobs, economic growth, and make our communities more sustainable and resilient.
Today, Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and John Yakabuski, Member of Provincial Parliament for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, on behalf of the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, announced joint funding for improvements to community, culture, and recreational infrastructure for three projects in three communities in Eastern Ontario.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.1 million in these projects through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $941,000, with the remainder of project funding to be provided by recipients.
In Kingston, funding will support the renovation of the Youth Campus Cultural Community Centre, operated by the Home Base Housing organization, to provide increased access to a safe, supportive and healing community centre for vulnerable and homeless youth, 16 to 24 years old. Work includes converting a church sanctuary into a community centre by removing pews, building a stage, and updating audio visual, lighting, and sound systems, as well as flooring and HVAC requirements. Further renovations to the existing community centre will add 2,500 square feet for new washrooms, a larger kitchen, and a multi-use meeting area. These upgrades will provide area youth with increased opportunities for cultural healing, skill development, socialization, and self expression.
A project in the Township of McNab/Braeside will replace aging recreation infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand for a larger and modern support facility for four baseball diamonds. The new building will include more washrooms, increased storage space, and a tournament room for umpires and tournament officials. In the Township of Head, Clara and Maria, funding will support upgrades to windows, lighting, and the heating and cooling systems in the township’s community centre and library.
These projects will provide safe, comfortable, and inclusive community spaces for residents and vulnerable populations, while also providing greater access to social and physical programming.
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.