Ontario Government Invests Over $5 Million In Rural Townships For Infrastructure

The Ontario Government has given over $5 million to five townships in the Peterborough-Kawartha area for infrastructure announced at the Millennium Gardens in Douro-Dummer on Wednesday.

(left to right) MPP Dave Smith; Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor; Janet Clarkson, Trent Lakes mayor; Jim Martin, Havelock Belmont Methuen mayor and Warden J. Murray Jones under the gazebo at Millennium Gardens. Smith says it takes $1.2 million to pave one kilometre of a road. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The mons is part of the 2022 funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), the province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities.

“Our local municipalities provide the on-the-ground services we rely on; roads, bridges, wastewater infrastructure, maintenance and affordable housing,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This stable source of funding, increased again this year, provides our local rural communities the opportunity to finance critical infrastructure and keep property taxes under control.”

“This OMPF funding is nothing but good news for the townships in Peterborough County. It is very much appreciated and is critical for the everyday things we need to accomplish. It is truly a partnership,” said Warden J. Murray Jones, Douro-Dummer mayor.

"We are pleased that the Province is continuing with this important program to assist Municipalities. The funding for Selwyn of $1,068,400 will assist our community to move forward on our capital programs and to assist with targeted operational budgets,” said Andy Mitchell, Selwyn mayor.

Each township has yet to fully discuss where the money will be going except for Trent Lakes where the funds will be used to redo their public works buildings said Janet Clarkson, Trent Lakes mayor.

“This is going to be a long way toward taking the pressure off that and any of this money helps the municipalities move forward without borrowing money,” she said.

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Warsaw Road Swing Bridge Opened For Vehicles

Parks Canada reports that the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge has reopened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic according to a press release on Saturday.

File Photo.

The bridge has been closed for a full replacement of the steel swing bridge structure, repairs to concrete abutments and replacement of mechanical and electrical operating systems. The project has brought the bridge up to full highway loading.

Short intermittent delays are expected for operational testing.

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Centennial Fountain Begins Operation For the Season

Little Lake’s Centennial Fountain has turned on for the 2021 season following a decision by City Council at its Tuesday meeting.

Commonly considered the highest jet fountain in Canada, the Centennial Fountain shoots water up to 76 metres in the air. Photo Courtesy of City of Peterborough

The fountain will run from May 26 until Thanksgiving Monday, October 11.

Its nightly LED light show will pay tribute to frontline workers, running every evening beginning at 8:00 p.m.

“Frontline workers have kept our community safe, healthy and functioning throughout the pandemic. The Centennial Fountain light show is a fitting tribute to express our gratitude for their hard work and dedication,” said Mayor Diane Therrien. “The fountain is a symbol of hope as we begin to emerge from the pandemic this summer. We hope it will encourage people to get outdoors which is good for mental and physical well-being.”

The city urges residents to restrict outdoor gatherings to five people or less when observing the fountain. They ask everyone to avoid crowded areas and follow all public health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.

​The Centennial Fountain was installed through a donation by General Electric Canada in 1967 to mark the Canadian Centennial celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.

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City Counsellors Unanimously Votes to Turn On Centennial Fountain

The Centennial Fountain in Little Lake will come back on for this year starting on May 26 after city counsellors voted in a virtual meeting on Monday.

File Photo.

Coun. Keith Riel originally suggested turning the fountain on and it was unanimously voted in favour of the proposition.

The fountain was turned off back in April 2020 during the pandemic to save costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Coun. Henry Clarke originally proposed the fountain’s closure last but agreed to have it on “to celebrate and be happy about.“

"It signals hope we're rounding the corner on this pandemic," said Coun. Stephen Wright.

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Engineers Say Damage To James A. Gifford Causeway Is Significant

Damage to County causeways from the wind storm of May 4th has been assessed by engineers, and County Council have approved repairs to both the James A. Gifford Causeway and the Gannon’s Narrows Causeway.

According to a county press release, staff are in the process of working with local approval authorities to coordinate the exact timing of the work so as not to disturb fish spawning habitat.

While the damage is significant from the storm, the public is advised that both causeways are safe to travel.

“County Council has made the decision to approve the recommended work on both causeways to ensure continued use of these important vehicular routes in the County,” says Warden Joe Taylor. “We will continue to ensure the public is made aware of the timing and status of the work in the coming weeks.”

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