Funding From Province Could Be Available Soon For New Arena

One third of the funding for Chatham-Kent’s new twin pad arena could become available in the near future.

Premier Doug Ford spoke at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) annual conference, where several Chatham-Kent staffers are in attendance, speaking of opening up infrastructure funding September 3.

“Our government’s relationship with Ontario’s municipalities is incredibly important to us,” said Premier Ford, in a release. “As the level of government closest to the people, municipalities know the needs of their communities best. We must work together to put local communities back in the driver’s seat of their own affairs.”

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent unveiled plans for their new twin-pad sports complex, which is slated to cost upward of $63-million.

Chatham-Kent is looking for 73% of funding for the new arena complex from provincial and federal governments.

“That’s what we mean by investing from the ground up and investing in people,” said Premier Ford. “We’re providing $144 billion over the next decade to make life better and easier for the people in our communities. Every project will help boost the local economy, create jobs and help businesses grow, while increasing revenues for local governments to reinvest into their public programs and services.”