Mitch Calvert
Local hockey rinks, swimming pools, and other recreational sites across Ontario will be eligible to receive funding for upgrades and repairs thanks to a partnership between the new Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program and Ontario Recreation.
The federal government is providing $68 million for upgrading facilities in Ontario while the provincial government has set aside $195 million for such projects.
The two levels of government each will fund up to one-third of a project’s costs, to a maximum of $1 million each.
“Investing in recreation facilities ensures that families and future generations will continue to come together and enjoy local playing fields, arenas, and pools for decades to come,” Industry minister Tony Clement said in a press release.
“It will also help create local construction jobs and encourage economic activity right away,” he noted.
Municipalities, First Nations, counties, community organizations, and other not-for-profit entities that have eligible projects that can be completed before March 31, 2011 are invited to submit their applications.
Locally, that could mean potential upgrades to a variety of projects, including the track at Fort High or new tennis courts, among others.
“It’ll definitely be something we’ll be looking into and discussing at Community Services,” Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig said.
“I haven’t had discussions with anyone on council yet, and I don’t know all the aspects of the grant right now or what’s required,” he conceded.
“But if I had to speculate, you know we’ve been talking about tennis courts for a while, so there’s one right off the bat, and maybe that’s something the town and the school board can work towards.
“But I can’t speak for the school board, either.”
Projects submitted on or before May 29 will be reviewed immediately to take advantage of the construction season, with approved projects to be announced in June.
George Smitherman, Ontario’s minister of energy and infrastructure, said improving infrastructure is an important tool towards building a stronger community in the face of today’s uncertain economic climate.
“Recreational infrastructure is a key building block for better, stronger communities,” he said in the release.
“Not only are we helping to stimulate the economy by creating local jobs, we’re also building happier, healthier, and stronger communities across Ontario.”
For more info, visit www.rinc-on.ca
