TERRACE BAY — The province is committing funding for a handful of community projects along the north shore.
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland, who is also the parliamentary assistant to the minister of northern development, was at the Aguasabon Golf Club in Terrace Bay on Thursday, announcing $3.7 million in Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation spending for several north shore community projects.
A substantial amount of the funding went to Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, with $1.7 million for building an all-season outdoor covered rink for sports, as well as $1.5 million to expand the existing community centre to include a physical fitness, mental health, and cultural events facility.
“Northern Ontario puts out the biggest percentage of NHL players. Our rinks are where they got their start. And, it creates an opportunity for families to get out together outdoors and, enjoy the services we have and if we can extend that season a little bit longer, it's just a benefit to everybody,” said Holland.
Other projects announced for funding:
- $198,000 for the Local Services Board of Rossport to renovate and modernize the Rossport Community Hall
- $109,183 for Stop Along the Way to establish a tent, trailer and recreational vehicle campground in Schreiber
- $45,330 for the Marathon Rod and Gun Club — an organization that promotes outdoor conservation, hunting and angling activities — to refurbish its log clubhouse
- $11,178 for the Nakina Heritage Corporation - a not-for-profit that promotes social, economic, cultural and historical development in Nakina and the surrounding area – to replace the roof of its building.
Terrace Bay’s Aguasabon Golf Club received $115,000 to replace its irrigation system. Due to a lightning strike 10 years ago, the diesel-powered irrigation system needs to be turned on manually.
"Without the NHFC funding, we wouldn't have been able to complete this project," Mayor Paul Malashewsk said.
"We've been talking about it for a number of years. We have that diesel 300-gallon diesel tank down the lake, which is a liability. The town owns the property and I'm sure if something happened to clean up a diesel spill by the lake would cost a lot of money. That's something the town doesn't have a lot of money to do.”
Aguasabon Golf Club operates 100 per cent with volunteers, with 10 to 15 community volunteers committing their free time to ensure the course is well-maintained, according to golf club president Bobby Spadoni.
"We're going to be 60 years old next year," Spadoni said. "We have probably anywhere from 10 to 15 people on the course that come here faithfully during tournaments are here at four in the morning. You know, they leave at night, they cut the greens, they cut the fairways, they do all the course maintenance, they maintain all of our golf carts, all of our equipment and that's 100 per cent volunteer.”
Malashewski had been an executive member for over 40 years until taking on the role of mayor earlier this year.
However, Spadoni said that Malashewski can be seen at all hours ensuring that the irrigation system is turned on, as well as, maintaining the course.
With the NOHFC funding, Aguasabon Golf Club can install a new eco-friendly irrigation system that volunteers can remotely turn on which will save valuable volunteer time and reduce the community’s green footprint.
“We're always looking for improvements and the new upgrade to the irrigation system will definitely help us moving forward,” said Malashewski.
Since the Ford government revamped the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the program has been opened up to a wide variety of northern businesses to apply including community enhancement programs, cultural support programs, economic development, and recruitment and retention support.
“What we're hearing back from the organizations and businesses that are applying to the NOHFC is that the revamped system is working really well for them and it's making a really big difference for them in accessing the money and improving their business and organizations,” Holland said.