Burk’s Falls Community Centre will see improvements

Burk's Falls receives good news for their community infrastructure at the opening of Winterfest.

Full details contained in media release below.

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The Ontario government is helping Winterfest activities in Burk’s Falls get off to an exciting start by announcing a significant investment in the Armour Ryerson & Burk’s Falls Memorial Arena/Community Centre, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

“Our government may not be able to make it snow, but we are confident this year’s Winterfest festivities will be that much brighter knowing an important cultural and recreational amenity for the community will be upgraded and improved,” said Bartolucci. “This project will help ensure that the facility is capable of hosting a wide array of community events and activities, including summer hockey and precision skating in the off-season.”

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will provide $750,000 toward improving refrigeration systems and insulation, upgrading the roof and exterior walls, improving electrical systems and installing an under-floor heating system. The enhancements will enable greater use of the facility while reducing operating costs. The community centre is also designated as a local emergency shelter for three area municipalities.

“Since 2003, investments in infrastructure, postsecondary education, research and innovation and key economic sectors have helped strengthen Ontario's economic foundations and continue to build opportunity,” said Bartolucci, who chairs the NOHFC. “I am extremely proud that with the support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, people of all ages who live, work or vacation in the Burk’s Falls area will be able to enjoy the many activities and opportunities this centre will continue to offer.”

Other McGuinty government initiatives for northern prosperity include:

• Investing $1.8-billion, over the next five years, in upgraded and expanded northern highways, including significant four-laning activity along Highway 11 south of North Bay
• Investing $6.7 million in student bursaries at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine to train doctors for the North.

This NOHFC project is part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All. Since 2003, investments in infrastructure, postsecondary education, research and innovation and key economic sectors have helped strengthen Ontario's economic foundations and continue to build opportunity.

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