Kincardine Council has decided which infrastructure projects it will apply for federal funding.
From the four billion dollar Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, Council is hoping to get 2.75 million dollars for the Huron Ridge reconstruction project, 2.5 million for upgrades to the airport, and money for an accessibility plan.
From the second intake for the one-billion dollar Building Canada program, a grant application has been made for 700 thousand dollars in renovations to the Kincardine Arts Centre in the historic old town hall.
The deadline to apply for the grants is May 1st, and that hasn’t left council and staff with a lot of preparation time.
Projects under the stimulus program have to be completed by 2011 and Building Canada projects require business cases to be submitted with the application.
The airport grant would go towards resurfacing the runways, improved lighting and electrical systems, and accessibility improvements for the terminal.
Mayor Larry Kraemer says it’s a project the municipality has been trying to prepare for over the long-term.
The Huron-Ridge project is an ongoing effort to rebuild streets and replace storm sewer and water lines in that neighbourhood.
The Mayor has long supported upgrading the Arts Centre, which requires a serious of repairs.
Kraemer says plans date back to the 1980’s for renovating the facility.
He’d like to see the copula on the roof returned, the brickwork redone and have the building returned to it’s past splendour.
Councillor Kenneth Craig says improving the Arts Centre will add to the downtown area.
Other projects considered for Building Canada grant applications included a 2.2 million dollar gymnasium that would be added onto the Davidson Centre.
That idea was rejected, to the disappointment of Recreation Committee Chair, Councillor Guy Anderson, who says discussions during the recreation needs study that is underway show there is a demand for more gym space in Kincardine.
He says council made a mistake and is instead spending money on project it already had money set aside for, referring to the one million dollars in reserves for the Arts Centre.
Upgrades to the municipal trail system were also rejected as a possible project.
Deputy Mayor Laura Haight says she would have liked to have had bike lanes installed along Bruce Road 23 to serve workers who commute to Bruce Power.
The idea of a grant for the proposed 400 thousand dollar fire training facility was also rejected because it didn’t meet the eligibility requirements.