MP MacKenzie Announces Important Investment through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program

Ottawa, ON-Dave MacKenzie, Member of Parliament for Oxford, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), today announced that several communities and organizations throughout Oxford will be receiving funding through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

The Harper Government has approved a total of up to $419 600 for 11 projects. For details, please see below.
• The City of Woodstock will be receiving $110 000 for elevator renovations at the Woodstock Community Complex.
• The Corporation of the Township of Blandford-Blenheim will be receiving $66 600 to replace lighting at the soft ball diamonds in Drumbo Park and $16 667 for renovations at the Richwood Community Centre.
• The Norwich and District Historical Society will be receiving $10 000 to improve the entrance to the Norwich Archives.
• The Corporation of the Town of Ingersoll will be receiving $35 000 for the rehabilitation of the Town Centre and $5 000 to replace the HVAC system at the Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum.
• The Corporation of the Township of Norwich will be receiving $33 333 to replace bleachers at Otterville Park.
• The Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Club will be receiving $50 000 to improve the Tillsonburg soccer fields.
• The Township of East-Zorra Tavistock will be receiving $17 500 to improve the Hickson Ball Park and $38 000 to expand Innerkip Ball Park.
• The Township of Zorra will be receiving $37 500 to improve the Embro soccer fields.

This announcement is one of many for projects approved through the program that will improve and preserve community spaces across southern Ontario, with the aim of giving back to Canadians and creating a lasting legacy as Canada prepares to celebrate the150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. The program is expected to boost economic activity through infrastructure investments, build community-based partnerships, and modernize existing community facilities. The contributions are contingent on the execution of contribution agreements with recipients.

Quick Facts

• Over the coming weeks, local announcements for projects approved through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program in southern Ontario will take place across southern Ontario.
• Projects have been selected based on program criteria, including the extent to which funding was leveraged from other sources, construction-readiness, and linkages to Canada 150.
• The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is one of several infrastructure-related initiatives that the Harper Government has undertaken to generate well-being and prosperity n communities across Canada.
• It builds on FedDev Ontario’s delivery of the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund and the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program in Ontario, which represented a federal investment of more than $225 million and supported more than 1180 projects.

Quotes

“The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will preserve and improve the infrastructure of our communities, so that Canadians and their families can enjoy moments of culture, sport, recreation and leisure for years to come.I am proud to see Oxford benefit from this program.”
Dave MacKenzie, Member of Parliament for Oxford

“We are pleased to hear that our applications for funding under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program were successful. The replacement of the softball lights at the Drumbo Park will bring much needed improvement to recreation services in the community and the funds to help renovate the Richwood Community Hall will breathe new life into this beautiful Pre-Confederation building.”
Rodger Mordue, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk for the Township of Brandford-Blenheim

“The residents of Otterville take great community pride in this park. This funding will allow us to enhance and improve this distinctive recreational space for everyone to enjoy for years to come.” Larry Martin, Mayor for the Township of Norwich

“The new bleachers will be built to reflect the historic bleachers currently in place and maintain the heritage of this beautiful park.”
Michael Legge, Director of Finance for the Township of Norwich

“The residents of Zorra just wanted to say a big thank you for approved funding of $37,500.00 for the improvements to the Embro Soccer Field. The funding will provide a proper soccer field with a proper base and drainage and also install new permanent goal posts.”
Kelly Hall, Tax Collector/Deputy Treasurer for the Township of Zorra

“The CIP150 funding for Hickson Park will make a huge difference in what we can get done in the park. Providing a safe, appropriate play space for children 18 months – 5 years old is really needed with many young families and children in the community. The pavilion is really a year round, multi-use facility and the funding will allow us to improve the fencing so activities like basketball, ball hockey, hockey can take place safely. The funding will also help improve the batting cage and back stop which will allow us to continue providing a high quality and safe ball facilities for the community.”
Steve Killing, Chairperson of the Hickson Parks and Recreation Committee

“The CIP150 funding will allow the Innerkip Minor Ball program to continue to grow and meet the needs of young ball players in the area. The Innerkip Park is a great facility and the addition of the 4thdiamond will only enhance and ensure the ongoing sustainability of the ball program.”
Peter VanBoekel, Chairperson of the Innerkip Parks and Recreation Committee

“The Board of Directors of the Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Club is very pleased to hear that our application has been approved for a funding grant through the Federal Government’s Canada 150 program to help with the costs of a field upgrade project at the Tillsonburg Soccer Park. Our plan is for the ‘Canada 150 Anniversary Field’ project to be a true partnership between the Federal Government, Municipal Government, and our not-for-profit Club, a partnership that celebrates the best values and spirit within our community, is a celebration of Canada’s Anniversary, and that will benefit both current and future generations.”
Sebastian Fardella, President of the Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Club