Pre-election money for Inverness
A series of pre-election provincial funding announcements touched down in Inverness County Friday.
The province announced it will provide $225,000 for a building project by L’Arche at Iron Mines, that will create an accessible setting for adults with disabilities to sell produce, artwork and crafts.
The 3,800-square-foot space, known as The Gathering Place, will allow L’Arche to move from an aging wood structure and host functions in a barrier-free area.
“Having a spacious, fully accessible hall for meetings, concerts, plays and extensive training and formation programs will make a huge difference for L’Arche Cape Breton and the wider community,” community leader Mukthar Limpao said in a news release. “It helps us open people’s hearts to the gifts of men and women with intellectual disabilities and to continue to foster a culture of growth and learning beyond the L’Arche community.”
The provincial contribution to the project is in addition to funds raised by the Ark Community Initiatives Society and a federal contribution.
Energy Minister Michael Samson made the announcements.
The province will also provide $50,000 toward the cost of a new snow groomer machine for the Ceilidh Trails Groomers Association. The machine will help keep recreational trails in Inverness County open for activities throughout the winter.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency contributed $88,575 toward the project while additional funding came from the Municipality of the County of Inverness, private sponsors and local businesses.
“After achieving great success with sponsorship money and the County of Inverness and the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage coming on board, we are very pleased that the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency recognized the importance of our project for Cape Breton Tourism,” Richard Jamieson, fundraiser chairperson for the Ceilidh Trails Groomers Association, said in a news release.
In Port Hawkesbury, Samson announced the transfer of a parcel of surplus land located on Reeves Street to the Town of Port Hawkesbury. The land, approximately six acres in size, was the former site of a community vocational school that was demolished in 2004.
Samson also reannounced a wastewater project originally announced last August. Port Hawkesbury will receive a $2.4-million federal investment from the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, with additional funding of $1.2 million each from the province and the Town of Port Hawkesbury. Projects include the construction of the Tamarac booster station and water system rehabilitation on Pitt and Nepean streets.