Sunday, February 16th, 2025

Avening Community Centre has received a $110,000 grant  as part of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

The announcement was made at the Avening hall on Thursday by Simcoe-Grey MP Kellie Leitch.

“This grant is designed to support infrastructure projects that reflect each community’s needs,” said Leitch, endorsing the value of all of the small halls throughout Clearview and the role they play within the township.

The Government of Canada launched the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program last May and will provide $150 million over two years to support the rehabilitation, renovation and expansion of existing community infrastructure. It is part of the federal government’s activities to honour Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

The application was made by township staff last June. Avening Hall was selected because it had the greatest deficiencies of all the Clearview halls according to a report created by Burnside and Associates in 2012. The application outlines a $215,000 budget. $4000 is expected to be raised by the community and staff will place the remaining requirements into the 2016 budget for the consideration of council. Original estimates in the Burnside report to address safety, structural and accessibility needs at Avening Hall were $293,000. Some of the items in the report have already been repaired.

“The Avening Community Centre has always existed to serve the whole community and this grant will help the hall in ensuring the whole community has access to this wonderful building,” said hall board chair Bill Hewitt, upon hearing of the grant.

FedDev Ontario received more than 1,100 applications, requesting more than $260 million in funding.

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