The Emo spray park project and the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River are among charitable organizations in Northwestern Ontario that will benefit from $646,700 in grants recently ratified by the board of directors of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The Township of Emo received $35,000 over one year for the installation of a spray park at Lions Park there.
“For us, it’s phenomenal news,” spray park committee chair Lincoln Dunn said this morning. “It’s huge. . . .
“Obviously, we’re incredibly grateful to the Trillium Fund for recognizing the value of the project,” he added.
Dunn said the shot-in-the-arm brings the committee’s fundraising efforts close to $100,000.
“Our request was for a little bit more funding than they were able to send us, but this gets us close,” Dunn remarked. “We’re getting really close.”
The committee has a fundraising goal of $150,000.
“Obviously we still have a little bit more fundraising to do, but hopefully this sort of ramps us up and gives us that momentum to get us the last part of the way,” Dunn said.
He anticipates construction of the spray park will begin this fall, with the final components installed come spring—just in time for summer.
The spray park will provide a safe summer outdoor activity for children from Emo and neighbouring municipalities.
Meanwhile, another recipient that will benefit district residents is the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, which will get $77,000 over two years to provide an emergency respite centre.
“It’s helping us move ahead with more support for families living with the disease,” said executive director Margaret Schonewille.
“Before we were doing a lot in the way of education and awareness, but it’s very nice to be offer families more in the way of support,” she added.
The centre, which is based out of the former Abitibi-Consolidated medical centre in Kenora the company donated to the Alzheimer Society, will offer day programs and services for people with Alzheimer disease and their caregivers.
While based in Kenora, Schonewille stressed clients of the Alzheimer Society—from Fort Frances and elsewhere in Rainy River District—will be able to use it when they’re in Kenora.
“It’s not just for the Kenora people, but for any of our families with Alzheimer’s disease,” she said.
Families can turn over care of their afflicted relative for one-eight hours. Centre staff will keep them busy with day programming so caregivers can get a rest and attend to business or pleasure.
Schonewille said details currently are being worked on, but hopes to have the emergency respite centre open in September.
In a press release issued Tuesday, Ontario Culture minister Aileen Carroll said many of the grants provide opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to improve their health and become more active in their communities.
“The McGuinty government recognizes the numerous benefits that arts, culture, and recreational programs bring to our communities,” said Carroll.
“These Ontario Trillium Foundation grants will have a powerful impact on local economies and improve the quality of life for Ontario families,” she added.
Grants will enable groups to create more social, cultural, and recreational activities, remove barriers to full participation, and promote healthy living.
The Foundation, through the Northwestern Ontario Grant Review Team and its chair, Brian L. Collins, believes this is the way to build healthy and vibrant communities.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of Ontario government. The 2008 budget boosted the OTF’s annual funding to $110 million from $105 million, which will be further increased to $120 million by 2009-10.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
