Minto officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 28 to celebrate the start of two projects under the Building Canada Fund Communities Component (BCF-CC).
Perth-Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger; Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson and Minto Mayor David Anderson were pleased to see the projects get underway.
They will benefit the local community by creating jobs, providing a greener environment and raising safety and living standards.
The Palmerston Lions Park brownfield will be converted into a park and will include the construction of a stormwater management system and the excavation of contaminated soil.
The federal and provincial governments have each committed up to $316,667 to the project under the BCF-CC grant program. Minto will contribute to the balance of the total eligible cost, up to $950,000.
Work is also beginning on upgrades to the Harriston sewage collection and treatment system. The federal and provincial governments have each committed up to $637,66 to that project under the BCF-CC grant, with the town contributing the balance of the total eligible project costs of $1,913,000.
“The government of Canada recognizes that infrastructure investments are a powerful tool for achieve economic and environmental goals,” said Schellenberger. “Projects will also provide us with greener spaces and better wastewater services.”
Wilkinson noted the province “is proud to invest in essential infrastructure projects right across rural Ontario. Both of these high priority projects will not only create jobs by boosting the local economy right now, but make Minto an even better place to live, work and visit in the years ahead.”
Although Anderson was unable to attend to groundbreaking, he said via a press release, “These projects are wonderful examples of how collaborative work at all levels of government can positively impact our communities.”
These projects are just two of the 473 underway in Ontario as a result of a joint federal-provincial spending of more than $1-billion under the BCF-CC program.
Treasurer Gord Duff pointed out work at the Palmerston site has already begun. He said the rehabilitation work on the former CN property “will literally lay the groundwork for the development of the Palmerston Lions Club Heritage Park.”
Schellenberger said, “Our government knows the key roles these projects play in encouraging economic growth, while also bettering our communities.”
Schellenberger is looking forward to groundbreaking upgrade work at the Harriston-Minto community centre.
Wilkinson, who also serves as provincial Minister of Revenue, commented that “the best ideas come from the local community. And the level of government that best understands this is the municipal government.”
He said the partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal government is based on that understanding.
Wilkinson said, “It’s wonderful that we’re moving forward in Harriston, but what is particularly inspiring is the story behind the Heritage Park in Palmerston. That is truly something that came from within the community.” He said the community told council it was a great project.
“Now we see what’s going on here, which is so inspiring.” He added this is a great time for this to happen.
“In the midst of this economic turmoil, it’s great to see people working to make a future brighter for our families and for our kids and having part of that actually celebrating our history so that our children will know where we come from.”
He could not imagine any resident not being proud, “because these projects make our community more liveable.”
The project will also invite residents from outside the area to come and share in that heritage.
Deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen said in Harriston, “as exciting as that work is, it’s buried. It’s going to be a big improvement for our town even though it’s not as nice to the eye as this Palmerston Park here.”
