Four Niagara Region parks, centres get upgrades thanks to $6M in funding
Published August 5, 2021 at 2:47 pm
Four parks and community complexes in the Niagara Region are about to get significant upgrades thanks to a federal program with big assists going to Ontario and the municipalities where they are located.
St Catharines MP Chris Bittle, Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff and St Catharines Mayor Water Sendzik all got together yesterday (August 4) to announce $6 million in joint funding to the park in four different municipalities.
The federal government gave $2.4 million, the province added another $2 million and the municipalities ponied up another $1.6 million in an effort to revitalize the four separate projects under the federal “Investing in Canada” plan.
Among the projects announced are upgrades to the existing tennis courts and playground at Bogart Street Park in St. Catharines. This project involves renovating the tennis courts into a multi-use court to accommodate tennis, basketball and pickleball. The playground will be renovated to improve accessibility while also relocating play structure and changing the base from pea gravel to rubber.
In Pelham, funding will support the rehabilitation of the Marlene Stewart Streit Park. This project includes the rehabilitation of the existing electrical systems and pool house, the replacement of the outdoor pool, a new splash pad and picnic pavilion, and various accessibility improvements to the pool, playground, and adjoining areas.
Additional investments in other recreational infrastructure projects across the region include renovations to the Wainfleet Community Complex, such as upgrades to the sports fields and renovations of the tennis courts, washrooms, and fencing.
Videos
Finally is the Play Space Resurfacing Project in the Town of Lincoln, which will help improve active living and provide modern recreation spaces for the community.
To Bittle, access seemed to be a major goal for most of the upgrades.
“Ensuring residents have access to recreational infrastructure is vital for community well-being and development,” he said.
The investment in the communities “will provide residents with access to modern, reliable, and accessible recreation infrastructure where they can connect and maintain active and healthy lifestyles,” he continued.
To Oosterhoff, the Wainfleet upgrade was particularly satisfying.
“I am especially happy to see the highly anticipated upgrades of the Wainfleet Community Complex,” he said, “including sports fields, tennis courts, washrooms and fencing.”
And, of course, Sendzik was most excited to see the work coming to Bogart Street Park.
“This project will not only enhance the amenities and accessibility of Bogart (Street) Park,” he said, “but it creates multi-generational recreation opportunities for everyone to enjoy.
Photo of Bogart Street Park splash pad courtesy of St Catharines)
