North Simcoe municipalities have some recreation projects up their sleeves.
While officially accepting funding through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream in Port McNicoll Friday, local mayors unveiled some of the projects their councils will likely consider when it comes time to spending the money.
“This will help out residents remain active and get outdoors,” said Tiny Township Mayor George Cornell, whose municipality receives $100,000 under the funding formula and will likely use the money to improve HVAC and airflow at municipal community buildings and towards creating better signage on its trails.
“We all recognize the unique challenges of COVID-19. Everyone can do their part.”
During the event at the Tay Community Rink, Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop said the new $1.05 funding stream serves an important role for area residents since it can be used for a variety of important infrastructure projects to build or renovate health and safety related projects in long-term care, education and municipalities.
“This funding is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and reinforces the commitment of both the federal and provincial governments to protect the health and wellbeing of individuals and families,” she said, adding the funds will also create jobs throughout the region.
“We recognize that having many projects underway and shovels in the ground on new infrastructure initiatives is a critical component of our success for a long-term economic recovery.”
Eligible projects under the COVID-19 Resilience stream must begin before September 30, 2021 and be completed by December 31, 2021.
Penetanguishene will receive $162,000 with Mayor Doug Leroux noting they will likely use the funds to deal with rising Georgian Bay water levels and their effects on the town’s boat-launch ramp and nearby sidewalks.
“We have to make sure that by next spring it’s ready and available,” he said, noting they may also use some funding for improvements to the Overhead Bridge Road trail.
Leroux added: “Throughout our province and community, the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected life as we know it. I would like to thank the provincial government for allocating a portion of this funding towards our community and can ensure that our municipality will put the funding to good use.”
Midland, meanwhile, is eligible for $286,000 in funding.
Mayor Stewart Strathearn said the town is thankful for the continued financial commitment from the upper levels of government.
“This announcement comes as we begin our 2021 budget exercise, and really gives us more flexibility to plan for projects in the new year,” he said, noting replacing playground equipment remains a priority for the town, given the fact it had to decommission a great deal of it in the fall due to safety concerns.
“Knowing we have the support and resources to move forward with projects that allow us to be resilient through these trying times is reassuring.”
Tay Township Mayor Ted Walker, meanwhile, said council and staff might consider using the $177,000 in funding to improve change-rooms at the rink, which opens for private bookings Monday, and/or on improvements to its active transportation trail network.
“We’re excited to receive this funding,” Walker said. “It is important to Tay Township that our council do everything we can to ensure our residents’ wellbeing.
But Walker also noted that it’s amazing to consider just how different things have become since 2020 began.
"It’s hard to believe that this global pandemic has been affecting us now for eight months,” Walker said. “Tay Township residents, businesses and the community have struggled wtih the uncertainty of this global pandemic.”
Eligible projects under the COVID-19 Resilience stream fall under the following categories: Community, recreation, health and education renovations (e.g. retrofits, repairs or upgrades to long-term care homes, publicly funded schools and co-located childcare centre facilities, recreation centres or shelters); COVID-19 response infrastructure (e.g. heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, new builds or renovations to enable physical distancing); Active transportation (e.g. parks, trails); and Disaster mitigation, adaptation, or remediation (e.g. flood mitigation).
The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a federal-provincial cost-sharing program which includes up to $30 billion in federal, provincial and other partner funding over 10 years.