Close to $3 million will be going towards some important municipal infrastructure projects in the City of Barrie that will tie in directly with Lake Simcoe’s health and tourism.
The announcement came Wednesday at a press conference held beside Kempenfelt Bay from members of the provincial and federal government.
Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard, Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MP Doug Downey and MP of Newmarket-Aurora Tony Van Bynen were all on-hand for the funding announcement of $2,985,553 in joint funding for three projects.
“All governments came together and asked how do we improve our infrastructure, how do we improve the environment around us?” said Khanjin. “Not only to be more resilient as a city, province and country after COVID-19, but how do we build up the infrastructure that people used so much of during the pandemic.”
The three projects being funded are:
- The Kidds Creek Stormwater Pond upgrades, which will upgrade the Sunnidale Stormwater Pond.
- The repaving of Dunlop Street for active transportation will pave shoulders along both sides of Dunlop Street West between Ferndale Drive North and Miller Drive.
- The rehabilitation of the multi-use trail along the lakeshore will resurface and widen 930 metres of multi-use waterfront commuter trail from the Kiwanis Pavilion to downtown Barrie.
The investment is being made through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, a cost-shared, application-based infrastructure funding opportunity.
The federal government is investing $2,388,442 toward these three projects while the province is contributing $597,110.
Additional investments will support increased options for active transportation, and the renovation of municipal buildings and community centres to provide safe and welcoming spaces for residents across Barrie and Simcoe County.
Brassard said the health of Lake Simcoe was not only crucial for the residents and environment, but also for the travel and tourism aspect of the area.
“These are three projects that are near and dear to residents (of the region). Issues of active transportation, making sure that our waterfront is maintained, but most importantly, the health and wellness of Lake Simcoe,” said Brassard. “If there is anything that we need to advocate for going forward with all of us working together, it is to ensure the health and sustainability of Lake Simcoe. Not just for now, but for future generations.”
Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. The new COVID-19 Resilience stream will provide up to $1.05 billion in combined federal-provincial funding for infrastructure projects across Ontario.