The Town of Greater Napanee is getting set to tackle the largest infrastructure project in the municipality’s 170-year history.
The good news for the community is, they will not be going it alone.
On Thursday morning, Ontario’s Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy announced $34.8 million towards the expansion and upgrade of the water pollution control plant in the community.
The money comes from the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
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Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee speaks, while Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy looks on (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Minister Bethlenfalvy says 60 different communities have received money from the fund, for 54 projects, worth $970 million.
He says the money towards a new water control plant, will unlock the municipality’s ability to build new homes, while expanding water access for industrial and commercial businesses in Napanee.
“This investment will not only help to build up to 4,000 new homes across town, but will also help expand and upgrade the Greater Napanee water pollution control plant, a critical project that will support the needs of this growing community for years to come.”
The announcement is on the heels of a nearly $600 million expansion for the Goodyear plant in Napanee.
Several years ago the federal government announced $14 million towards the water plant project, meaning the Town of Greater Napanee will pay for just over $21 million of the $70 million price tag.
Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee says this project is focuses on more than the town’s current needs.
“But it’s preparing for the future for generations to come right here in Greater Napanee and projects like this that are happening all across the province. These funds will enable the construction of up to 4,000 news homes.”
Greater Napanee Mayor Terry Richardson says it is critical to have the support of upper tier levels of government.
“Today’s announcement towards the modernization of our water pollution control plant, is life-altering for our community of almost 17,000 people and it secures the future of our town, as it allows our town to grow.”
The current plant the municipality runs on was constructed in 1953, with an upgrade in 1978. Once completed in 2027, much of the current plant will be decommissioned.
Tendering for the project will go out this fall, with construction to start next spring.
Officials with the municipality say the new plant will operate on a reduced footprint with a new technology called activated granular sludge, which is being used in Europe and the United States.
You can listen to the entire media conference below:
Town of Greater Napanee Mayor Terry Richardson speaking at the announcement for the new water pollution control plant, while Ric Bresee looks on (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
