Mayor McGee is Pleased to Hear of New Provincial Funding Stream for Sport and Recreation Facilities

The 2024 Ontario budget was tabled at Queen's Park on Tuesday afternoon (March 26th), and Mayor McGee was pleased to learn that the budget includes a new funding stream for sport and recreation facilities, recreational infrastructure, and repairs to existing facilities. Mayor McGee, along with County Councillor Dan Lynch, and Councillors Chris Couper and Billy Denault met with Dave Smith, MPP, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation at ROMA’s annual conference in early January, to express the need for Provincial assistance to ensure ageing recreational facilities in Ontario’s smaller municipalities are being maintained for the benefit of our residents. Mayor McGee spoke with, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation’s office, on March 26^th, where they shared the exciting news of this new funding stream.

Mayor McGee said “The Town of Arnprior celebrates the Government of Ontario’s commitment to supporting new and existing sports and recreation facilities

Arnprior residents of all ages thrive at the Nick Smith Centre, a 46-year-old complex that requires extensive renewal to modernize the infrastructure, expand programming, and enhance accessibility and inclusivity for our growing community. 

The Town has a shovel-ready design for the replacement of the two ice pads, along with two-storey storage and meeting space. The significant increase in useable space will add accessible features such as at ice-level entry and improved seating and viewing areas, in addition to much-needed community meeting space.

Funding opportunities such as this one are critical to the success of our project, and we are thankful that the Province is listening and working with small municipalities to provide the necessary investment in recreational infrastructure.”

Councillor Billy Denault, County Councillor Dan Lynch, Dave Smith, MPP, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mayor Lisa McGee, MPP John Yakabuski and Councillor Chris Couper at the ROMA conference in January 2024.