Federal infrastructure dollars flow to Oshawa
MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes was on hand at the McLaughlin Branch of the Oshawa Public Libraries to announce over $97,000 in funding for the library’s rehabilitation projects. (Photo by Joel Wittnebel).
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
It was a good week to be a community organization in Oshawa as a series of Canada 150 Community Infrastructure grants were announced with funds going to the Oshawa Public Libraries (OPL) and the local YMCA.
On June 30, Whitby MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes, on behalf of Navdeep Bains, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development was in Oshawa making a pair of announcements. First, at the OPL McLaughlin branch where she announced that the library would be receiving just over $97,000 to help go toward a pair of rehabilitation projects at the aging branch.
Portions of the funds will go toward replacing the library roof and the remaining dollars going toward renovating the auditorium on the lower level of the library, including the installation of a new passenger lift for those with mobility issues. The McLaughlin branch is more than 60 years old, and the total renovation is set to cost $294,360.
“It really helps to have everyone included in our meetings and events,” Caesar-Chavannes said of the accessibility improvements.
Frances Newman, the CEO of the OPL, says she hopes the work on the library roof can begin in the coming weeks, depending on the weather, and the auditorium facelift is set to take place this fall.
The auditorium is used by many community organizations and groups for different events and meetings. Along with the new lift, the space is set to receive a new sound system, acoustic panels and lighting.
“It’s a real treasure in our downtown core,” Newman said of the library. “We know that the community is going to benefit from this for many years.”
Following the OPL announcement, Caesar-Chavannes moved down the street the the YMCA Mary Street location to announce a nearly $590,000 grant for YMCA Durham to help refurbish the health and fitness centre.
The grant will help fund the nearly $1.8 million renovation at the YMCA which will include work to make the location more accessible with new doors, accessible washrooms, ramps, handrails and signage. The centre will also see energy improvements with a lighting retrofit and the addition of multipurpose rooms for various activities and a new child minding area for members.
The Canada 150 funds are part of the federal government’s $300 million national program to support communities across the country.