FedNor invests $1.7M to revitalize local infrastructure in Greater Sudbury
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario is spending $1.7 million to create a 180-seat outdoor theatre, modernize eight community playgrounds and generate 26 permanent jobs.
“Shared public spaces are at the heart of communities across Canada. They draw in residents and visitors, and support local businesses and jobs,” FedNor said in a new release.
In Sudbury, as in so many places across Canada, these outdoor spaces have seen a significant increase in use since Canadians first took precautions to stay safe from COVID-19. These amenities are integral to the overall well-being of individuals, families and communities.
“Today’s investments will deliver ongoing social and economic results for all Sudburians in the form of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Upgrading local playgrounds and constructing an open-air theatre in the downtown core are essential steps to building a thriving community, vibrant economy and culturally rich public gathering spaces that will benefit Greater Sudbury and beyond. I am proud that these strategic initiatives will create 26 local jobs and accelerate the revitalization of our community as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe.
On June 29, Lapointe was joined by Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré, to announce $1,762,520 through FedNor, the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and Building Communities through Arts and Heritage for YES Theatre and the City of Greater Sudbury.
Of the total, YES Theatre will receive $448,420 to construct the Refettorio, a state-of-the-art 180-seat outdoor performance venue and community space in downtown Sudbury.
Once complete, the Refettorio will host up to four main stage productions each summer and serve as the new home of YES Theatre’s annual Summer Musical Theatre Festival. The space will also be accessible to arts and culture organizations, artistic groups and individuals in need of a safe venue to host audiences. Canadian Heritage is also contributing $750,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for the construction of the Refettorio.
FedNor funding of $35,000 is also helping YES Theatre hire a youth intern to expand marketing and promotional efforts for its Summer Festival to help attract more visitors from outside the region. Canadian Heritage is contributing an additional $34,100 through the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program to support the theatre’s festival programming.
“I am thrilled that FedNor and the Government of Canada are investing in our vision to create a safe inclusive space for artistic performance in historic downtown Sudbury. Our creative economy is thriving and our new outdoor performance venue will fill an important need for artists, performers and audiences of all ages,” said Alessandro Costantini, artistic director of YES Theatre.
As part of the announcement, the City of Greater Sudbury will also receive CCRF funding of $495,000 from FedNor to revitalize eight community playgrounds located in areas of high priority areas, including downtown.
Once upgrades are complete, the modernized playgrounds will provide safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation opportunities for families and visitors to Greater Sudbury.
“Safe and inclusive outdoor spaces play a critical role in the health and well-being of our entire community. This FedNor funding will help us modernize some of our most heavily used playgrounds, ensuring children, families and visitors have access to outdoor recreational activities that are welcoming to everyone,” said Brian Bigger, Mayor of Greater Sudbury.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.