OTTAWA: Ottawa and Ontario have announced joint funding for four community, culture and recreation infrastructure projects in Ottawa.
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 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; Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, and Councillor Catherine McKenney, Somerset Ward, participated in the event.
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. 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 The second project includes the replacement of non-accessible and outdated playgrounds in 29 parks in Ottawa with accessible benches, swings, and play structures.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.
McKenna said: “Community centres play a vital role in the health of communities by providing critical services and activities, fostering greater social inclusion and improving the quality of life for residents. upgrading 29 playgrounds across the city that are beloved by kids and parents including Centennial Park which will have a new skateboard park and two basketball courts.”