Ontario Construction News staff writer
The County of Simcoe and the Town of Innisfil are submitting separate multi-million-dollar projects for funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for community, culture and recreation projects.
Simcoe County is partnering with the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance (EMA), to develop and build a multicultural centre with an expected cost of $9 million.
In a separate application, Innisfil is partnering with Kempenfelt Bay School to build a multi-use space at town hall at an estimated cost of $8 million.
Ontario announced a 2019 Intake for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Community Culture and Recreation Funding Stream in September. Applications must be submitted by today.
According to a County staff report, the EMA wants to build a multicultural centre “that is safe and welcoming to all who wish to embrace the growing diversity in Simcoe County.” A new facility is a key recommendation in the County of Simcoe’s Community Settlement Strategy as the immigrant population continues to grow.
“The goal of providing mechanisms for newcomer connectivity is supported by the recommendation to examine the feasibility of establishing a centralized multicultural services facility, offering easy access to a multitude of relevant services, and providing a home base for multiple ethno-cultural organizations,” the report said.
The immigrant population in Simcoe County is growing. In 2016 there were 61,605 immigrants, speaking 112 different mother tongues resided across the region. Bradford West Gwillimbury has experienced the highest percentage growth with 27.5% of residents being foreign born, and the number of immigrants increasing 97% between 2006 and 2016.
Innisfil experienced a 41.7% increase in immigrant residency between 2006 and 2016 and immigrants comprise 15.8% of that community’s total population.
A similar pattern is observed in New Tecumseth wherein the immigrant population increased 39.9% during the ten-year period. Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Essa, and the City of Barrie have also experienced immigrant population growth.
A new facility would provide meeting and program delivery space for various organizations that are burdened with high rental fees today.
“The EMA envisions that a multicultural centre building would include a large gymnasium with a stage that can be used for multiple purposes, including recreation programs and to meet the physical activity requirements of child minding and seniors’ activities,” the report said.
The space would also accommodate large multicultural events, provide office administration space, meeting rooms/classrooms, a kitchen, storage spaces for ethnocultural associations, washrooms, a foyer and a music room.
Building plans and related costings are in early development and for the purpose of the funding application the estimated size of the multicultural centre is projected at 22,000 sq. ft., with an estimated costing of up to $9 million.
The province’s funding stream will support construction or renovation of community spaces that support culture and recreation with money from the federal and provincial governments. Contributions to infrastructure projects will be 40% federal, 33.3% provincial and 26.7 from the applicant.
The Kempenfelt Bay School (KBS) will take the lead on Innisfil’s application for a multipurpose facility including a full-size gymnasium for students and community use.
KBS built a new kindergarten to Grade 8 school next to Innisfil Town Hall in
2017 and, thanks to a partnership, KBS students pay for memberships at the neighbouring YMCA and use the Innisfil Recreation Complex’s (IRC) gym throughout the school year. They also rent the fields and outdoor spaces from the Town and utilize them during traditionally off-peak periods (i.e. during the workday), generating revenue for the Town.
With plans for an independent high school in the future, KBS wants to expedite the gym construction “because of the logistical challenges of getting the younger children dressed for winter to safely traverse the parking lot to visit the recreation centre,” according to a Town staff report.
“Given the proximity to other community assets such as a community kitchen, the Town and KBS are considering whether something more than a gym would be suitable at this location, such as performance space with theatre seating, appropriate lighting and sound equipment, and/or multi-use space that could be used for presentations, workshops.”