FORT ERIE, ON (March 3, 2022) Fort Erie has received a boost towards the construction of a new splash pad in Lions Sugarbowl Park with a $500,000 grant from the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund ‐ Capital stream. This funding will be delivered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation over 12 months starting May 2022, and will help provide community members with a free, safe, and accessible facility.
“This splash pad is going to be open longer, provide services to even more residents and do it all free of charge – this is exactly the kind of project I am proud to see the provincial dollars supporting,” said Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates. “This is a very large investment directly into our Town and many thanks are owed to the teams that drafted and pushed this proposal forward. This new splash pad is going to be used for years to come in our community and I’m proud to see the Province stepping up to play a role.”
Through the Community Building Fund grant, Fort Erie is able to update its primary outdoor aquatic facility with a new splash pad at Lions Sugarbowl Park. The Kinsmen Pool was constructed in 1967. A 2011 Feasibility Study identified that the pool no longer provides residents with a safe and adequate aquatic play environment, nor does it meet accessibility requirements. The new splash pad will provide individuals of all ages, abilities, skills and socio-economic status with a free, zero-depth aquatic experience.
“This grant supports our mission to create a barrier-free Fort Erie. By reanimating the existing aquatic facility, we can create a functional splash pad that can be safely accessed by all members of the community, with no fees. We want to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting our work to build healthy and vibrant communities in Fort Erie,” said Mayor Wayne Redekop.
When compared with the pool, the splash pad will operate for more months of the year with extended hours for added enjoyment. In addition, splash pads encourage physical activity; promote social engagement; and, enhance mental health.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non‐profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non‐profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID‐19. Visit otf.cato learn more.
