By Duane Hicks
Staff writer
The new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre will likely be going ahead, after a much-anticipated funding announcement from the provincial and federal government for over $1.967 million came through this afternoon.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford and Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP and Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle announced over $2.85 million in Build Canada funding for district projects, including $983,690 from the province and $983,690 from the federal government for the construction of the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre.
Library board chair Joyce Cunningham hadn’t yet learned of the announcement when the Times contacted her this afternoon, but was thrilled to hear the news.
“We’re very happy that the grant has come through. I think, as many people in town had realized, we had come to the conclusion that if the grant didn’t come through, the project was dead,” she remarked.
“And now it looks as if we have all the money we need to proceed, and I am very optimistic we will have that shovel in the ground very, very soon,” added Cunningham. “We’ve have such wonderful support from the feds, the province, and we must not forget, the donors that have contributed so heavily to the fundraising campaign.”
Cunningham noted the board is also grateful that the proposed contractor—Aurora Construction—agreed to wait beyond the usual 60-day window given for a tender to be awarded after it closes, to see if the project funding would come through.
Mayor Roy Avis said this afternoon he was “very, very ecstatic” to learn of the announcement.
“It is a real plus for us. We’ll be able to build that facility without even using any of the town money, it looks like,” he remarked. “That’s what I like to see.”
“I think now we will probably see it moving ahead. When you see it’s going to be built with senior government money, it’s a real plus for us,” added Mayor Avis. “You have to thank the Harper government and the McGuinty government for giving us that type of funding.”
The mayor noted the Community Services executive committee will discuss the project at its next meeting Monday, and then make a recommendation to council who will have the final say on awarding the contract for the project.
Community Services manager George Bell noted the amount the town received was the amount applied for “and then some,” and along with the $1.6 million from the Ministry of Culture, $437,692 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, and over $850,000 in pledges to the “Building for the Future” campaign, covers the entire cost of the $4.7 million library project.
“This means the amount of actual money coming from the tax coffers is going to be very limited, because we won’t need it,” said Bell.
“We’re just ecstatic We’re ready to dig,” said chief librarian Margaret Sedgwick. “We couldn’t be happier. We’re amazed we got more than we applied for . . . We’re going to have the library that we need, the space we need.”
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our government is getting shovels in the ground and flowing money faster to stimulate the economy and create jobs for Ontarians,” said Rickford in a joint-press release from the provincial and federal governments. “Thanks to the strong relationship between our two governments, we can work together to help Ontario communities and the economy thrive immediately and in the future.”
“Under the leadership of Premier Dalton McGuinty, Ontario is leading the way,” said Gravelle. “We are creating jobs and the decisions announced today will soon lead to improved transportation and enhanced facilities and services in our communities. Our governments are working together to modernize infrastructure – creating a competitive advantage that attracts business and strengthens our economy today and into the future.”
The funding shows both governments’ commitment to stimulating the Ontario economy through the creation of jobs in our communities, according to the press release. These projects will improve transportation efficiency, support a healthier environment and enhance local facilities, services and create local jobs.
Residents of Rainy River, Emo, La Vallee, Alberton, Morley and Dawson also will benefit from the federal and provincial infrastructure funding announced today. These other projects include:
•Township of La Vallee-rehabilitation of Cain Road ($32,000 province, $32,000 federal);
•Township of Dawson-upgrade of River Road ($33,000 Province, $33,000 federal)
•Town of Rainy River-refurbishment of municipal garage/fire hall ($140,000 province, $140,000 federal);
•Town of Rainy River-municipal office renewal ($15,000 Province, $15,000 federal)
•Township of Dawson-Pinewood fire hall addition ($47,666.67 province, $47,666.67 federal);
•Township of Dawson-Atwood Road #2 upgrade ($29,333.33 province, $29,333.33 federal);
•Township of Emo-Fisher Road rebuild project ($41,667 province, $41,667 federal);
•Township of La Vallee-Emo-La Vallee Community Centre retrofit ($12,136 province, $12,136 federal);
•Township of La Vallee-Pyne Road rehabilitation ($19,000 province, $19,000 federal);
•Township of Alberton-Alberton Fire Hall ($62,585 province, $62,585 federal); and
•Township of Morley-Community Centre Complex rehabilitation ($27,000 province, $27,000 federal).
