Ontario helping East Ferris Community Centre get a face lift

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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Renovations to a multi-purpose facility in East Ferris will provide a modern venue for festivals, trades shows and sporting events that stimulate the local economy and improve quality of life in the area.

The Township of East Ferris, with assistance from the Build Canada Fund and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), is renovating the community centre and arena to accommodate more community activities. The facilities will benefit from an expanded assembly space, new dressing rooms as well as improved food management services, making it a more attractive and functional event venue.

This project is part of the Open Ontario plan to help communities build infrastructure to attract new jobs and economic growth.

“I am pleased that the province is providing more support to the East Ferris Community Centre which is such an important community hub,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “The newly renovated and updated Centre will continue to provide the residents and visitors of East Ferris and surrounding areas with a great venue for events, sporting activities and community celebrations.”

“The McGuinty government is delighted to be contributing to a better quality of life and new economic opportunities in small northern communities through important investments in public infrastructure,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and Chair of the NOHFC.

“I would like to thank MPP Monique Smith and Minister Michael Gravelle for their assistance with our successful application from the NOHFC. This money will go a long way in supporting the East Ferris portion of the municipal costs for this extremely important community project. With these renovations, our community centre will last well into the future and will continue to be a mainstay in the fabric of East Ferris and surrounding communities,” said East Ferris Mayor Bill Vrebosch.

QUICK FACTS

• The Government of Ontario is providing one million to this project under the NOHFC’s Infrastructure and Community Development Program.

• For the past 30 years, the East Ferris Community Centre has hosted events such as the annual winter carnival and the annual Astorville picnic, along with activities catering to people involved in curling, line-dancing, brownies/guides, public skating, minor and adult hockey leagues, fishing, hunting and more.

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