Caledon receives close to $400,000 from provincial government for pool upgrades

By Rob Paul

The Ontario government 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.

“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.”

Caledon was one of three recipients in Dufferin-Caledon to receive an Ontario Trillium Fund Grant (OTF). 

The Town of Caledon will receive $399,400 for facility upgrades and replacements for the pool area at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness. The other two recipients were the Township of Melancthon ($62,700 for upgrades to Horning's Mills Community Centre) and the Orangeville Curling Club ($66,500 for upgrades to the building).

“COVID-19 has been a challenge for so many not-for-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations, and I am proud that our government is supporting their recovery though the Community Building Fund,” said Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon. “Investing in upgrades to these facilities ensures that Dufferin-Caledon residents will have places to reconnect and socialize when it is safe to do so.”

Funding through the OTF Community Building Fund's capital stream will help recipients complete much-needed sport and recreation facility infrastructure repairs—including retrofits and rehabilitation to meet COVID-19 public health requirements—to ensure they can continue to provide programs and services vital to their communities with the public health measures to combat to pandemic being lifted. 

“This significant funding is a tremendous boost for our community providing much needed upgrades to the pool area at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness” said Mayor Allan Thompson. “Residents of all ages will benefit. I can't say enough how grateful I am to our Provincial Government and Minister Jones for their ongoing support of important community programs and services”.

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.