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(Posted 8:30
a.m., June 27)
Feds, province pledge over $6.6 million for local recreation projects
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
The east end
got a much needed boost in funding for local recreation infrastructure projects
on Friday with the announcement that the federal government and the province
of Ontario will be providing more than $6.6 million for a number of initiatives.
Topping the list
is $2 million to help build a pool at the Orleans YMCA-YWCA on Centrum Blvd.
As a non-profit charitable organization, the Y was struggling to raise the
funds to expand their facilities in Ottawa.
With Friday's
announcement they can begin construction in the fall and have it completed
by next summer. Ottawa YMCA-YWCA president Tony Pacheco says the pool will
allow them to more than double the number of people they serve from 12,000
to 24,000.
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Canada's
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Baird tries to spin a basketball
on his finger as Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
MPP Pierre Lemieux, Ottawa-Orleans MPP Phil McNeely, Acting Mayor Michel
Bellemare and Ottawa-Orleans MP Royal Galipeau look on. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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"These funds
will allow us to move forward on some very significant expansion and renovation
plans that will have an impact for many years to come," says Ottawa
YMCA-YWCA president and CEO Tony Pacheco. "We look forward to completing
the work which further the Y's commitment to building stronger kids, strong
families and strong communities."
The two other
big projects on the list are plans to expand the Gloucester Wave Pool which
will allow the city to expand its programming at the facility, and the construction
of a new community centre in Carlsbad Springs. Both projects are expected
to cost about $3 million, with the province, the federal government and
the city contributing $1 million each.
The Carlsbad
Springs community has been without an adequate community centre space since
St-Laurent school was closed in 2003. Since that time they've been trying
to convince the City of Ottawa to buy the vacant building from the French
Catholic school board.
The funds allocated
will go towards building an addition on an existing community building on
Ninth Line Road that will include a gymnasium, two multipurpose rooms and
an ancillary space.
Other projects
that will receive funding include pathway lighting for the Apollo Crater
Park in Fallingbrook, the Bearbrook Park in Blackburn Hamlet and Joshua
Bradley Park; a waterplay area in Gardenway Park in Fallingbrook and North
Vineyard Park in Convent Glen North; and the expansion of the Hornet's Nest
Fieldhouse.
Ottawa-Orleans
MPP Phil McNeely was understandably pleased with the number of projects
in the east end that will be receiving much needed funding.
"This is
great news for residents living in the east end, especially in Carlsbad
Springs where they have been without a local community centre for nearly
six years. A new centre will bring the community closer together and provide
space for expanded programs for youth, seniors and other groups," said
McNeely. "It's also great news for people looking improved access to
aquatics programs in the east end."
Work on most
of the projects is expected to begin over the next six months with completion
dates likely in 2010.
(This story
was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local
business partners.)
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