January 25, 2013

 

Poilievre Announces Funding for Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre
MP and city officials say improvements will increase accessibility to the facility

 

North Gower, ON —Across the country, community centres, ice rinks, swimming pools and other community projects will soon be improved thanks to support from the Federal Government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF). Pierre Poilievre, MP for Nepean-Carleton, was joined by Councillor Scott Moffatt, local resident John Schouten and North Gower Recreation Association President Sara Charron.

 

Under the CIIF, Poilievre announced $52,000 in federal funding to enhance accessibility at the facility. “Our Government is committed to working with municipalities to ensure that public facilities like this do not exclude people with disabilities from participating in community events,” said Poilievre. “The Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre is a gathering point for people in North Gower and beyond. These improvements will ensure that the facility is accessible to all, regardless of whether or not they use a wheelchair.”

 

The total cost of the project is projected to be $104,000, with the City of Ottawa covering the remaining $52,000. The work will include adding wheelchair-accessible washroom stalls, replacing current doors with wheelchair-accessible ones, and retrofitting the canteen to meet accessibility standards. “These upgrades are long overdue and we are very grateful to the federal government and the City of Ottawa for providing the money necessary to complete this project,  ” said facility president Charron.

 

Mr. Schouten , who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, was excited to hear this news. “Currently, the Alfred Taylor Recreation Facility is not entirely accessible for me. These improvements will ensure that everyone in my position will be able to enjoy everything that this facility has to offer.”

 

“I am very pleased that accessibility at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower will be brought up to current standards as a result of this shared-funding agreement,” said Councillor Scott Moffatt. “The retrofits of the entrance doors, canteen and washrooms will make a world of difference for many users of this well-used facility in our rural community.”

 

“Accessibility is not only a goal at the City of Ottawa, it is a core policy. The City has dozens of public buildings, parks, recreation centres and other facilities where we have identified accessibility upgrades we want to make for our residents,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “We welcome shared funding from the CIIF as a means to accelerate these upgrades and thereby enhance service for residents with disabilities.”

 

Through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, the Government of Canada has committed to supporting communities and creating jobs through repairs and improvements to existing community facilities over the next two years. The national CIIF will provide $150 million over two years for repairs and improvements to existing public community infrastructure, and is being delivered by regional development agencies across Canada. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is delivering the Fund in Ontario with an allocation of up to $49.6 million over two years.

 

(L to R): Sara Charron, John Schouten, Pierre Poilievre, Scott Moffatt. Mr. Schouten is looking forward to having full use of the facility once the work has been completed.

(L to R): Sara Charron, John Schouten, Pierre Poilievre, Scott Moffatt. Mr. Schouten is looking forward to having full use of the facility once the work has been completed.