Kinsmen getting funding from C-K

Posted By Karen Robinet, SUN MEDIA

Posted 1 month ago

Despite concerns the move would set a precedent, Chatham-Kent council has agreed to grant $150,000 to the Kinsmen Club of Wallaceburg.

The money will be used to complete the balance of the local share of a project for a new community and recreation centre in the community. The club is receiving two grants in the amount of $299,089 each from the provincial and federal governments, and is investing $200,000 of its own money into the $1.1 million project. As well, it is securing a Community Futures loan in the amount of $150,000 for the project.

"It's a nice thing for Wallaceburg community," said Coun. Steve Pinsonneault, "however, I see it as being very precedent setting."

He said that with 23 communities, each of which has at least two service groups, the floodgates could open up if the municipality made such a contribution. He suggested that the money be a loan, not a grant.

However, Gerry Wolting, general manager, corporate services said the Kinsmen Club's application was the first time a non-profit group had been successful in securing senior government funding for a project.

Coun. Bill Weaver said, "if this is precedent setting, all the more power to it. This is the kind of precedent we should be leaping behind."

Coun. Doug Sulman successfully introduced two amendments; one to ensure that the money is transferred as senior level funding becomes available, and the other to ensure that the club doesn't sell the building for a pre-determined period of time after its completion.

The $150,000 will come from the Reserve for Local Share of Infrastructure Programs that was set up by the municipality last year in anticipation of federal and provincial infrastructure programs that would require local contributions.