Brock Township has landed nearly $5.5 million in funding from the provincial and federal governments to help finance an expansion and restoration of the Sunderland Memorial Arena.
Area MPP Laurie Scott and MP Jamie Schmale announced the funding in a virtual media conference Thursday (April 29) morning that included eight projects totalling $12 million.
“All of these local infrastructure projects support families and communities as Ontario continues to protect people’s health and economy. Getting shovels in the ground will positively impact the lives and well-being of every resident in each of these towns for years to come,” MPP Scott said.
“It is wonderful to be a part of the investments today from both the Provincial and Federal government’s made into the riding of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. They will create local jobs and provide economic activity,” added MPP Schmale.
The overall cost of the arena project is nearly $7.5 million.
“The expansion project includes adding six new dressing rooms, a community room, and a storage and ice resurfacer room. The arena ice surface will also be enlarged to meet regulation size, the refrigeration system will be updated, and seating around the arena will be improved,” reads a press release from the Province.
“Other renovations will allow for upgrades to the existing building lobby and second floor auditorium.”
In addition to the funding from the provincial and federal governments, the Sunderland Lions Club has pledged $500,000 to the project.
“On behalf of the residents of Brock Township we are very excited that our grant submission for the Sunderland arena was selected. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the federal and provincial governments for this wonderful opportunity. We also want to extend special thanks to the Sunderland Lions for their work and financial commitment to this project and we recognize the exceptional commitment and dedication of this amazing group to this project,” said Brock Township Mayor John Grant.
“I know our late Mayor Debbie Bath Hadden was the key driving force behind this application and I know she would have been very pleased to see this happen.”
