Two local organizations are receiving federal funding for infrastructure projects.
$15,000 goes to The Gathering Place to work with the Children’s Aid Society and build a community garden.
Executive Director Dennis Chippa says the garden is located at the former École St Paul location, which is known as the CAS Learning Hub.
“What we’re going to do is work with the youth that are involved in the learning hub, the volunteers and some of their teachers. It’s a little more than just growing food, we’re going to be doing some teaching,” he says, adding topics will include the environment, healthy eating and growth in general.
Chippa says the food that is grown will help with their prep and food outreach team, which has expanded to various outlying areas.
They’ve expanded to Sturgeon Falls, Mattawa and will soon be doing work in Almaguin.
“The food outreach is prepared meals so the more fresh vegetables we can get in to help prepare those meals for not just our folks, but the folks in the outlying communities, the better it’s going to be,” Chippa says.
The funding comes from the Canada Health Communities Initiative.
Downtown North Bay and Waterfront is receiving $50,000.
Small infrastructure improvements will be made to four designated outdoor sites, by installing ambient lighting and paving a multi-use parking lot.
The improvements will increase daily foot traffic by promoting outdoor, self-guided interactions for individuals or groups.
“Downtown North Bay & Waterfront is excited that our application to transform public spaces within the Downtown was successful,” says Amber Livingstone, Executive Director Downtown North Bay and Waterfront. “We look forward to continuing to improve the area for our community members through this project.”
Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming announced the funding from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.
“I’m happy to see two great organizations getting funding for worthwhile projects that will help residents of North Bay and Nipissing-Timiskaming,” he says.
