The town has made accessibility upgrades at the Harriston arena its top priority for an Ontario 150 capital grant application.
On July 1st the province announced community grant programs to celebrate the province’s 150th anniversary in several areas: community celebrations, capital and a partnership program.
A staff report indicates the $50,000 Harriston arena project would include activate doors, a ramp, landscaping and lobby improvements.
A similar project at the Clifford arena was listed as the second priority for the capital program.
On Aug. 2 Minto council prioritized the projects ahead of other suggestions, such as decorative lighting for the Palmerston railway bridge or accessibility upgrades at the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum.
For the celebration grant, staff will develop a program with community partners to “augment and support a comprehensive Ontario 150 celebration program.”
The program will encompass new events and attractions, as well as existing ones.
“The Minto Arts Council, Farmer’s Markets, Minto Fire, Crossroads Life Church, Palmerston Lions, Palmerston Imperials Fastball, Clifford Homecoming, Norgan Board and the Cultural Roundtable are some of the partner organizations that would benefit from this funding,” the staff report indicates.
Youth Council initiative
For the partnership grant application, staff will work with community groups to bring forward a cohesive grant application for partnership funding to establish the Minto Youth Council.
The town has been pursuing a youth council through its recreation services and economic development departments, and the local Youth Resiliency Coalition.
“The partnership funding may be helpful in pulling these groups together into a sustainable program,” the report states.
The report notes the Ontario 150 program is “not as broad” as the Canada 150 grant program. A application was submitted for the second intake of that program to repair and upgrade the Harriston pool and trailer park properties. A decision is still pending on that application.
