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Brian Lockhart: Special Breaking News

Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis, New Tecumseth Counc. Christine Brayford and daughter Hannah, Mayor Mike MacEachern, Counc. Jamie Smith and Deputy Mayor Rick Milne show off one big cheque from the federal government this afternoon (fri., July 3) for $993,883 for repairs and refurbishment of the Alliston Rotary Club pool (in background).

Rotary Pool funded after all

BY Laurie Watt, Staff July 03, 2009 13:07

Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis is in the riding today (Fri., July 3) making additional federal infrastructure funding announcements.

She started out the day in Collingwood at the Pretty River Academy where she announced $500,000 from the federal and provincial governments ($250,000 from each) for a new soccer pitch.

She then headed down to the Centennial Pool in Stayner where she announced another grant of $90,000 from the provincial and federal governments for pool repairs under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program.

She made a stop at the Lisle Ball Park in Lisle where she announced residents will benefit from a joint federal and provincial investment of $23,649 from each level of government for Lynch Subdivision Parkette, Pine Park in Everett and Lisle Ball Park under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC).

Following that announcement, Guergis stopped at Riverdale Park in Alliston where she announced $993,000 in federal funding for the Rotary Pool revitalization project. New Tecumseth council applied for infrastructure funds for the almost $3 million project, but it initially looked as though the application had been passed over for funding by the feds.

Upgrades to the Rotary Pool's pumps, filters, guard office, change rooms, showers, pool fence and pool bottom are estimated to cost $2,981,605. If approved for the funding, the town's portion of the bill would be $993,868 with ther remainder split between the province and feds.

Guergis said the New Tecumseth projects weren't passed over in the first round of funding. She explained that the government simply filed the projects in separate categories. The recreation projects announced today all fall under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC).

In addition, Guergis announced approval for the funding for the McCarroll playground, which was the second item on New Tecumseth's list.

Today's announcement were made in conjunction with Liberal MPP Aileen Carroll.

Infrastructure grants may be getting the most attention, but another federal-provincial program - the Canada-Ontario Building Canada Fund (Communities) - is helping to enrich life in Simcoe County communities.

This program is supporting local municipalities by investing $29.7 million in projects.

Bradford West Gwillimbury has a $16-million library and cultural centre planned; the town received almost $7.3 million for the project.

Essa Township is replacing its Angus library branch. Of the $2.3 million in eligible costs, the feds and province pitched in over $1.5 million.

Springwater Township received $1 million to help with the development of Nursery Park in Minesing.

Less sexy but quite essential, Tay Township is upgrading its wastewater treatment plant, at a cost of $8 million; the township received $5.4 million in aid.

Ramara, too, received $640,000 to help with its $970,000 in improvements to Sideroad 15.

Tiny Township received $440,000 to help redevelop the Lafontaine Pavillion in Perkinsfield.

- with files from the Alliston Herald

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