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Ottawa — Canadians everywhere are feeling the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Together, the governments of 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, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Ottawa West—Nepean; Goldie Ghamari, Member of Provincial Parliament for Carleton, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; Jeremy Roberts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West–Nepean; His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, and Councillor Catherine McKenney, Somerset Ward, announced joint funding for four community, culture and recreation infrastructure projects in Ottawa.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $3.5 million toward these projects, with the Government of Ontario providing over $2.9 million through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The City of Ottawa is investing over $1.4 million in the Centennial Park and the playground renewal projects. The Manotick Culture Parks and Recreation Association is also providing $93,960 in the Centennial Park project while the Bronson Centre is contributing $596,539 to their renewal project, and the Carlington Community Health Centre is investing $235,162 to upgrade a community service centre.
“This is incredible news for communities in rural Ottawa such as Manotick, Osgoode, Richmond and Greely. The Manotick Culture, Parks and Recreation Association, along with support from key local organizations, businesses and community leaders, has been working on redevelopment of this critical and much needed public space that will benefit thousands of rural youth and families in Carleton,” said Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton. “I met with the MCPRA in December 2019 to discuss this important community project and how I can support the people of Carleton to make this a reality. That’s why I’m so excited to announce today that the Province has approved the Centennial Community Enhancement Project’s application. I look forward to seeing shovels in the ground as soon as possible!”
Two projects will support the rehabilitation of 30 parks in the City of Ottawa. The project at Centennial Park includes constructing a new skateboard park, two basketball courts, and landscaping to improve accessibility. The second project includes the replacement of non-accessible and outdated playgrounds in 29 parks in Ottawa with accessible benches, swings, and play structures. These projects will provide residents with safer and more accessible parks for years to come.
The rehabilitation of the Bronson Centre includes renovating the entranceways to improve access, refurbishing the façade’s stonework, replacing windows, and upgrading ten studio spaces and the theatre for creative arts use. This work will allow the Bronson Centre to provide continued and improved access to recreational, artistic and other programs and services for culturally diverse and low-income communities across the city.
Finally, the community service centre at Carlington Community Health Centre will be renovated to include expanded and more accessible rooms for large community spaces. An outdoor garden area will also be built to be used as a programming space and children’s play area. The project will improve access to community infrastructure and services, especially for seniors and children.
All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Ontario to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province when they are needed most.
QUICK FACTS
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Canada and Ontario Invest in Improved Community and Culture Infrastructure in Ottawa
- Under 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.
- Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $8.5 billion in over 3,000 infrastructure projects.
- Over the next 10 years, the Government of Ontario is investing approximately $320 million across the province, and the federal government is investing approximately $407 million in Ontario 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), recreational venues (e.g. arenas, recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (e.g. theatres, museums).
- Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada plan to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
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