Federal and provincial governments team up for $10.5 million for Hamilton
'Will make significant dent in our recreation deficit': Mayor
By Kevin Werner/News staff
News
Jul 02, 2009
http://www.ancasternews.com/news/article/180323
The federal and provincial governments announced Thursday a combined $10.5 million recreation infrastructure money for a dozen projects across the city.
“We are making a significant dent in our recreation deficit,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
The funding, from the federal government’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada program and Recreation Ontario includes almost $600,000 for a new soccer turf at Redeemer College, $1.1 million for replacing Chedoke’s Twin Pad floor, $209,404 for the YWCA Hamilton’s fitness and aquatics renovation, and $1.1 million to retrofit the Rosedale Arena.
“This is so much more than bricks and mortar,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, Hamilton Mountain Liberal MPP at the YMCA in Waterdown. “It brings people together.”
Altogether, the city of Hamilton received funding for six recreation projects, with the Inch Park community centre receiving the largest funding allotment of $2.4 million for an arena retrofit and pool upgrades. Also part of the funding will be $1.1 million for new lighting and washrooms at Turner Park Sports field; and the Carlisle Area is scheduled for a $1.1 million arena retrofit.
“It will not only give this generation infrastructure they will benefit from, but the next generation as well,” said David Sweet, Conservative MP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.
Hamilton is contributing $3.4 million in matching funds for the projects. The federal and provincial governments contributed $5.25 million each.
City Recreation Director Diane Lapointe-Kay, said the city will begin construction on the recreation projects as soon as possible. She said any projects that did not receive funding will be moved up on the city’s priority list.
Councillors in May approved an $84 million wish list to fund 26 projects, including high priority items such as upgrading Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre, Hill Park Recreation Centre, Scott Park Arena, William McCulloch Park and expanding the Winona Seniors centre.
Ms. Aggelonitis, and Mr. Sweet, said the projects were selected by Hamilton city officials, and officials from the federal and provincial governments.
Other projects that received funding were $389,500 to expand and upgrade the Fifty Point Conservative Area’s campground project, and $609,680 for the East Mountain trail and public washrooms, both projects pushed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority; and $680,400 to improve the Sklodowska Community Recreation Centre, for the non-profit Marie Curie Sklodowska Association.
Under the funding criteria, a project had to be “shovel ready”, and must be completed by March 31, 2011.
Mrs. Aggelonitis said the money will start to flow from the provincial government by next week, while Mr. Sweet said the federal government will start immediately to pay for the invoices on the projects.
“ The main thing is we are creating jobs for the area with this stimulus money,” said Mr. Sweet. “We have (released) this money pretty quick to municipalities.”
Larger urban mayors, including Mayor Fred Eisenberger, have asked the federal government to extend the March 31, 2011 deadline since the money is only now being announced during the first week of July.
“That is still a concern,” said Mr. Eisenberger. “Everyone, and not just in Hamilton, will be challenged to get the projects completed.”
He said the Conservative government may be under pressure to extend the time frame for projects to get done.
Mr. Sweet said he could ask his government for an extension if a project seems to be having problems finishing on time. But, he said the projects should be ready to start construction almost immediately.