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August 13, 2009
DEVOLIN ANNOUNCES $769,174 FOR CAMP MAPLE
LEAF
GALWAY-CAVENDISH-HARVEY: Local MP Barry Devolin, MPP Rick Johnson today announced a joint federal and provincial investment of $1,538,348 to upgrade Camp Maple Leaf (CML) located on Jacob Island in Pigeon Lake under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC).
Today’s announcement is one of 758 projects recently announced worth more than $380 million, fully subscribing the program just one month after it was launched. These programs were designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational infrastructure.
CML was established in 1955 by the Canadian Council of War Veterans Association as a living memorial to Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for peace. It has served over 30,000 children since its inception and until now received no government funding.
Funding from RInC and from other CML fundraising initiatives will be directed toward the construction of a new Welcome Centre building (housing medical facilities), refurbishment of sleeping cabins and comfort stations, and upgrades to the camp’s overall electrical, mechanical and site services sensitive to the island’s ecosystem.
“We are pleased to work with our provincial partners to deliver funding that will create jobs and make a difference in the lives of at-risk children and military children,” said Devolin. “Thanks to this investment, CML will be able to offer improved services for their visitors to ensure a more comfortable and safer stay.”
“We are extremely pleased that our proposal was approved,” said Gilles Fontaine, CEO of Banyan Community Services, the organization that operates Camp Maple Leaf. “The funding will be used for needed infrastructure improvements which will help give more kids the opportunity to learn and grow through our unique camp experience. In addition, it will help us to launch our plan to establish a new family camp for military families with children as early as fall 2009.”
Projects were selected on the basis of construction readiness and community merit.
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For more information contact:
Barry Devolin, MP
(705) 324-9436 or (866) 688-9881
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