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Community projects bloom in Ontario
Guelph, Ontario, July 11, 2006 – Community enhancement projects are blossoming in rural Ontario this spring thanks to Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund.
The FCC AgriSpirit Fund enhances community centres, food banks, recreation centres, care homes, and playgrounds in rural communities across the country.
“We’re inspired by the creativity, spirit and enthusiasm for community improvement in rural Ontario,” says Dan Bergen, FCC Vice-President of Western Ontario Operations. “It’s an honor to fund projects that benefit the communities where our customers live, work and play every day.”
The FCC AgriSpirit Fund awards capital project funding in communities with population less than 100,000. To qualify, projects must enhance the quality of life in rural communities. A total of 42 projects across Canada were selected from 283 applications to receive between $5,000 and $25,000 in funding. Ten projects will receive funding in Ontario this year. They are Chepstow Community Hall, St. Mary’s Museum, Institute for Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies in Wiarton, Embro West Zorra Community Centre in Ingersoll, Elmwood Community Centre Playground, Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre, Jordan Community Park Pool, Prince Edward Holstein Club in Picton, Fergusson’s Falls Community Hall and Brock Community Food Bank. See the attached background information for project descriptions and contact information.
The FCC AgriSpirit Fund will be available again next year. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the FCC website this fall. Details about the eligibility criteria and the application process will be available at www.fcc-fac.ca in the About Us section.
FCC is Canada’s largest provider of business and financial solutions to farms and agribusiness. Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. A healthy portfolio of $11 billion and 12 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success.
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Background
Chepstow Community Hall, Chepstow
Chepstow Community Hall is benefiting from $20,000 for the construction of a new 2,150 square foot building. AgriSpirit funding will help provide a fully equipped kitchen facility for hosting community events and social gatherings.
“Chepstow is a rural community with a rich history of tradition and family values – AgriSpirit is alive and well here,” says Jean Clancy, Chepstow Community Hall Committee Member. “The Chepstow Community Hall will be a gathering place for many to socialize, learn and grow together as a community for years to come.”
For more information about this project, please contact:
Tony Lang, Chepstow Community Hall Financial Advisor, at (519) 881-2290
Bruce McLeod, FCC District Manager, at (519) 291-3450
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
St. Mary’s Museum, St. Marys
St. Mary’s Museum is receiving $10,000 to help with the cost of renovations and the construction of a new addition. The museum stores and displays agricultural artifacts relating to farming, transportation and rural society. AgriSpirit funding will help provide extra storage space for the museum’s growing collection and easier access to exhibits for visitors.
“St. Marys Museum encourages an understanding of local history and helps promote a confident sense of identity, today and in the future,” says Mary Smith, Friends of the Museum Secretary. “The AgriSpirit Fund will help the museum become accessible to all, with more space for the artifact collection, interpretive activities and exhibits.”
For more information about this project, please contact:
Mary Smith, Friends of the Museum Secretary, at (519) 284-3556
Perry Wilson, FCC District Manager, at (519) 681-5881
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Institute for Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies, Wiarton
Institute for Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies, a natural learning facility, is benefiting from $12,000 to help with rebuilding costs. The existing aging facilities will be replaced with a new kitchen, dormitories and offices equipped to support increasing demand. AgriSpirit funding is providing appliances and safety equipment for the new kitchen, which will feed more than 3,000 students in the up-coming school year.
"The Bluewater Education Foundation is very pleased to receive this generous support from Farm Credit Canada,” says David Armstrong, Bluewater Education Foundation Executive Director. “The impact of this funding will benefit thousands of children and adults who visit the institute in the months and years ahead."
For more information about this project, please contact:
David Armstrong, Blue Water Education Foundation Executive Director, at (519) 395-5181
Bruce McLeod, FCC District Manager, at (519) 291-3450
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Embro West Zorra Community Centre, Ingersoll
The Embro West Zorra Community Centre is receiving $5,000 for the Zorra Accessibility Initiative. Entrance improvements are required to provide easier access for the physically challenged, elderly, mothers with infants and children. AgriSpirit funding will help with the cost of installing two sets of automatic doors.
For more information about this project, please contact:
Patrick Hovorka, Embro West Zorra Agricultural Society Director of Recreation, at (519) 485-2490
Bruce McLeod, FCC District Manager, at (519) 291-3450
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Elmwood Community Centre Playground, Elmwood
The Elmwood Community Centre is benefiting from $10,000 for playground improvements. AgriSpirit funding will help with the cost of purchasing and installing new playground equipment.
For more information about this project, please contact:
Bruce Jacklin, Elmwood Community Centre Board Chair, at (519) 363-2185
Bruce McLeod, FCC District Manager, at (519) 291-3450
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre, Alvinston
The Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre, is receiving $10,000 for a new playground to compliment the existing arena, community hall and ball parks. AgriSpirit funding will provide new playground equipment for children in the community and surrounding areas.
For more information about this project, please contact:
Cathy Case, Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Recreation Committee Clerk-Treasurer, at (519) 898-2173
Gary Paling, FCC District Manager, at (519) 380-8810
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Jordan Community Park Pool, Jordan
The Jordan Community Park is benefiting from $20,000 for upgrades to the wading pool. The existing 30-year-old pool will be replaced with a modern spray-pad for children who have not yet learned how to swim.
For more information about this project, please contact:
Dick Catterall, Jordan Community Park Treasurer, at (905) 562-4514
John Guertjens, FCC District Manager, at (519) 826-2039
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Prince Edward Holstein Club, Picton
Prince Edward Holstein Club is receiving $15,000 to construct a pole building to house a show ring for dairy, beef, equine and sheep events and bleachers for spectator seating. The new building will also benefit 4-H club events, agriculture industry events and the arts community for summer plays and concerts.
“The beef producers and the 4-H calf clubs are looking forward to showing under the new show
ring - this will be a great boost to the annual fair as well,” says John Thomson, Prince Edward Agricultural Society Treasurer. “We are very grateful to the FCC AgriSpirit Fund for providing essential support.”
For more information about this project, please contact:
John Thompson, Prince Edward Agricultural Society Treasurer, at (613) 476-5470
Bill Charlton, FCC District Manager, at (705) 324-5773
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Fergusson’s Falls Community Hall, Fergusson’s Falls
Fergusson’s Falls Community Hall is receiving $8,200 for building repairs and renovations. The historic hall has been a community gathering place for dances, potluck suppers, card games, meetings and family reunions since 1924. AgriSpirit funding will help provide new stage equipment, including a public address system, amplifier, microphone, accessories and lighting.
“The Ferguson's Falls Community Hall is the soul of our community,” says William McGee, Fergusson’s Falls Community Association Chair. “Thankfully the AgriSpirit Fund recognized our need and we can now equip the building with modern electronic and lighting technology, appealing to the growing number of young families among us. It also helps us improve our parking lot facilities to accommodate the needs of our aging population.”
For more information about this project, please contact:
William J. McGee, Ferguson’s Falls Community Hall Association Chair, at (613) 259-2869.
John Gregory, FCC District Manager, at (613) 271-7194
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
Brock Community Food Bank, Township of Brock
The Brock Community Food Bank is receiving $7500 for expansion. Rising energy costs are increasing demand for food bank services including food donation, clothing donation, homelessness prevention and food delivery. AgriSpirit funds will help purchase a portable storage facility, allowing the food bank to increase emergency food supplies and meet the increasing need for food in the community.
For more information about this project, please contact:
Janet Ries, Brock Community Food Bank Chairperson, at (905) 985-3553
Bill Charlton, FCC District Manager, at (705) 324-5773
Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual), FCC Communication Consultant, at (306) 780-8630
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