The Province 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, including over $3.7 million in Simcoe County.
“COVID-19 has been a challenge for so many not-for-profit tourism, culture, sport, and recreation organizations, and I am proud that the government is supporting their recovery through the Community Building Fund,” said Jill Dunlop MPP for Simcoe North. “Organizations such as the Royal Canada Legion Branch 488 Brechin-Mara, municipalities of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tay, and Severn are all the bedrock of their community. By helping them weather the storm, we are ensuring people across Simcoe North will have the opportunity to safely reconnect with the many things that make this community special.”
Funding through the Community Building Fund’s capital stream will help them complete much-needed sport and recreation facility infrastructure repairs – including retrofits and rehabilitation to meet COVID19 public health requirements – to ensure they can continue to provide programs and services vital to their communities once public health measures to combat the growing surge of the Omicron variant are lifted.
“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.”
“This funding stream is meant to sustain in the short term and is also an investment into the long term. It’s to help ensure community services we rely on and enjoy are available for years to come,” says Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte. “Springwater is a rapidly growing community, and a beautiful place to call home. It’s wonderful to see this funding flowing into our region, benefitting local families and the municipality as a whole. Governments working together to achieve the best outcomes for residents is the way back onto the road to economic recovery and a brighter future.” 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 (OTF) 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.
“The OTF (Ontario Trillium Foundation) Community Building Fund is enhancing the quality of life for the people of Simcoe County and supporting local jobs” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “The Community Building Fund supports non-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations as they respond to the impacts of the pandemic, including YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka and the South Innisfil Community Centre.” “The Bob Fallis Arena is an integral part of the Bradford community, one that has been a home to sporting and local events for generations,” said Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York – Simcoe. “By providing the arena with a grant of $84,000, we are addressing needs that will help increase its lifespan and ensure that families continue to have a hub for activities and events.”