The 2024 Ontario budget was tabled at Queen's Park on Tuesday afternoon (March 26th), and West Carleton-March Councillor Clarke Kelly was pleased to learn that the budget includes a new funding stream for sport and recreation facilities, recreational infrastructure, and repairs to existing facilities.
“Sports and recreation has always been a very important part of bringing people together in our rural community, which is why I am so pleased to see today’s provincial budget putting aside $200 million for new sports and recreation facilities, along with upgrades and maintenance of existing ones," Councillor Kelly said.
"I want to thank the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the provincial government for this much needed support for our recreation facilities. I know that there are some Ward 5 community groups who will be excited to learn more in the coming days about how to access these funds.”
Background:
Back in January (2024), Councillor Kelly presented a delegation to Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Neil Lumsden at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) meeting in January, requesting financial support for a new electronic scoreboard at the baseball diamond in Fitzroy.
Councillor Kelly with Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
The Ministry reached out to Councillor Kelly's office yesterday, requesting a meeting this morning (March 26), where they shared the exciting announcement of this new funding stream.
"After our strong, positive discussions with the province in January, this is another great step toward the Fitzroy scoreboard opportunity, along with others on behalf of Ward 5 residents," Kelly said.