The Town of Bancroft is receiving $500,000 and Loyalist Township is receiving $243,100 from the Province of Ontario Community Building Fund. Ontario is providing close to $46 million to support 186 municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations experiencing significant pressures due to COVID-19.
“COVID-19 has been a challenge for so many not-for-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations, and I am proud our government is supporting their recovery though the Community Building Fund,” said Hastings – Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp. “Operations such as the Bancroft arena are the bedrock of our community. By helping them and by helping the Community Centre in Loyalist Township weather the pandemic storm, we are ensuring people can safely reconnect with fellow citizens.”
“We are extremely pleased to have received this funding that will benefit the entire region,” said Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins. “The mezzanine area of the arena is currently under-utilized and not accessible for all residents This funding will provide for installation of an elevator and modernization of the facility to provide programming promoting healthy living for all residents in North Hastings.”
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our government has supported those struggling the most,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “These capital grants will help municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations make repairs or upgrades needed to their sport and recreation facilities to adapt to the pressures of the pandemic so they can continue to deliver programming critical to the economic and social well-being of communities across the province once their doors reopen.”
In total, the province’s Community Building Fund is investing $105 million to support community arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation organizations that are experiencing significant financial pressures due to COVID-19. The fund is administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation through two streams: Operating and Capital. The Capital stream, which closed on September 29, 2021, is providing organizations across the province with support for:
- Construction or renovation expenses, such as materials, labour for construction and/or installation.
- Fixed equipment costs, such as large-scale fixed equipment for installation (examples include heating systems, exhaust and air conditioning systems).
- Developmental costs or project management costs.
“Since its launch, Ontario has provided 834 Community Building Fund grants to community organizations, municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit sport and recreation organizations – enhancing the quality of life for people across the province and supporting local jobs,” said Minister MacLeod.
