Ontario Construction News staff writer
Renovations to Bogart Street Park in St. Catharines were revealed recently, including upgraded tennis courts, playground and a new art installation.
“The upgrades to the park along with the addition of the stunning ‘Ohné:ka’ art installation, highlight our dedication to creating exceptional recreational spaces in St. Catharines,” says Phil Cristi, director of community. “Through our collaborative efforts with the Niagara Regional Native Centre and with the support of the ICIP grant, we are proud to offer residents and visitors a revitalized park that celebrates art, culture, and recreation.”
The revitalization project was funded by three levels of government, including $437,000 from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) which supports various community, cultural, and recreation infrastructure projects.
“As part of our plan to build Ontario, we’re investing in local infrastructure that will support communities like St. Catharines. Together with our partners, our government is proud to support the renovations to Bogart Street Park,” said Kinga Surma, Ontario minister of infrastructure. “Residents of St. Catharines and the Niagara region can now participate in more sports and recreational activities in this inclusive and accessible space, giving way to more healthy lifestyles for years to come.”
Work included landscaping, a reconstructed parking lot, and a playground structure featuring several accessibility elements. The existing tennis courts were transformed into multi-use courts to accommodate a variety of sports, including tennis, basketball, ball hockey and handball.
“Bogart Street Park has long been a favourite destination for local families in St. Catharines to play sports or cool down in the summer heat,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “Today’s re-opening ceremony of the renovated tennis courts and playground – funded by the province, as well as the federal government and City of St. Catharines – is a great example of how various levels of government can work together on community infrastructure that will benefit local residents for years to come.”
Throughout the design and implementation phases of the art project, the City of St. Catharines collaborated closely with the Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC). Visual artist Cheyenne Ricard created the chosen public art piece. Additionally, the NRNC worked alongside children who are members of the centre to produce artwork for the interior of the building.
For more information visit stcatharines.ca/BogartArt.