London, Ontario, March 4, 2021— Canadians everywhere 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, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario) and Member of Parliament for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre; the Honourable Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin—Middlesex—London, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Ed Holder, Mayor of the City of London, announced funding for six projects that will improve sport, recreation and cultural facilities in London.
The Government of Canada is investing over $3.9 million towards these projects through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $3.2 million. The City of London is contributing over $1 million to their projects, while the remaining recipient funding will amount to nearly $1.6 million.
In the City of London, a project for Labatt Park, one of the oldest baseball stadiums in North America, will see upgrades that include the installation of accessible washrooms, and the replacement of bleachers and sports field lighting. These upgrades will improve the safety and accessibility of the stadium, which supports all levels of local non-profit baseball organizations and community events.
An additional five projects will enhance the quality of the community’s cultural and recreational infrastructure, benefiting the community by improving building functionality and increasing accessibility for all residents.
The projects include: the rehabilitation of the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre, which will repurpose space to create a teaching kitchen and install an elevator; replacement of the HVAC system, and installation of a new electrical panel at the Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre; a second-floor addition and updated lighting at the Stoney Creek YMCA; upgrades to lighting and building mechanical systems and a larger, more accessible changeroom at the Bob Hayward YMCA; as well as installation of an elevator at the Participation House Support Services’ Community Place North location.
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
“Investing in community, culture, and recreational infrastructure is essential to creating inclusive communities where Canadians want to live, work and raise their families. The projects announced today will contribute to the City of London’s culture and diversity while offering more learning and recreation opportunities for residents. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario) and Member of Parliament for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“The upgrades to these various community facilities will greatly benefit the residents of London by allowing them to safely access improved cultural and recreational infrastructure. These investments will help continue to provide residents with high quality services that not only bring people together, but also supports the future success of individuals by fostering essential life skills.”Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre
“The Ontario government recognizes the immense value of community, culture, and recreation projects in the City of London, and that’s why we are making these important investments. I look forward to seeing all the ways these upgraded facilities will continue to foster community in years to come.”
The Honourable Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin—Middlesex—London, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure
“Among other things, the pandemic has reinforced the importance of community, culture, and recreation. These joint investments from our federal and provincial partners will help revitalize six important sites across the City of London, ensuring they can be enjoyed by Londoners of all ages for years to come.”Ed Holder, Mayor of the City of London
Quick facts
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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.
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Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $8.2 billion in over 2,780 infrastructure projects.
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Across the province, and over the next ten years, Ontario is investing approximately $320 million, with Canada 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, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (e.g. theatres, museums).
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Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
