Townships garner funds for recreation projects
Recreational facilities and projects in Woolwich and Wellesley townships will get nearly $1.9 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments under the Recreation Infrastructure Canada program.
Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht and his provincial counterpart, MPP Leeanna Pendergast, were at the Wellesley administration building Tuesday to announce funding for Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich townships and the City of Kitchener totaling $4,571,018.
Federal and provincial representatives announced more than $4 million for local recreation facilities on June 30. On hand for the announcement in Crosshill were Woolwich Mayor Bill Strauss; Wellesley Mayor Ross Kelterborn; John Haddock, CEO of KW YMCA; MPP Leeanna Pendergast; Arthur Woods of the Elmira Lions Club; MP Harold Albrecht; Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr; Wilmot Mayor Wayne Roth; and Wellesley Coun. Shelley Wagner.
“I’m really getting to enjoy these get-togethers,” quipped Wilmot Mayor Wayne Roth.
In Woolwich and Wellesley townships, the funding includes:
» $40,014 to the Lions Club of Elmira for the Kissing Bridge Trail
» $293,000 for the YMCA Outdoor Centre
» $208,646 to Woolwich township for Bloomingdale Park
» $105,990 to Woolwich Township for Breslau Park
» $57,304 to Woolwich township for the TransCanada Trail
» $589,132 for the St. Clements arena
» $579,800 for the Wellesley recreation complex
Arthur Woods welcomed the announcement on behalf of the Elmira Lions Club, explaining the money would allow the Lions to complete a section of trail. He was pleased to see the upper governments recognizing the importance of trails, noting they are used more hours than arenas, pools and other recreation facilities.
Woolwich Mayor Bill Strauss said the funds for Bloomingdale and Breslau parks would go toward replacing lights at the ball diamonds that are now 40 years old.
In Wellesley Township, the money will be used to redo the kitchens and bathrooms at the Wellesley and St. Clements community centres, repair the roof of the St. Clements community centre, finish the parking lot at the Wellesley rec. complex, and install lighting and fencing around the St Clements ball diamond.
The federal, provincial and municipal governments will each provide one-third of the cost of the projects. Projects had to be shovel-ready to be eligible for funding.
“During these challenging economic times, this investment will also provide economic stimulus at the local levels,” Albrecht said. “I look forward to seeing these projects break ground.”
Tell us what you're thinking...