Central Frontenac Seeks Community Sport & Infrastructure Funding

Craig Bakay | Oct 02, 2024

The regular meeting of Central Frontenac Council Sept. 24 in Sharbot Lake was dominated by grant applications for projects in Mountain Grove and Sharbot Lake.

First up was Lesley Merrigan representing the Central Frontenac Recreation Committee and potential projects for Mountain Grove (District 2). Merrigan proposed spending money on the Mountain Grove Rink, including a new surface and a pickleball court.

The second project involves more parking and perhaps a canteen at the Mountain Grove ballfield. A new canteen would require septic and wells but that would also allow the removal of portable toilets, which are in themselves a rental expense.

She said they have a “rough” budget of $150,000 to $200,000 and while they would be looking at the Community Sport and Infrastructure Fund (CSOF) grant of 50 per cent, they would also be exploring a 70 per cent grant.

“Mountain Grove needs something to draw families into the district,” she said. “It hasn’t had any ‘facelifting’ things and it’s time it got some attention.”

Coun. Nicki Gowdy said that she’d recently participated in a webinar on CSIF funding and it’s for one facility only.

“You’ll have to focus on one aspect,” Gowdy said.

“My personal feeling is that we’d go with the ballfield,” Merrigan said. “And fundraising is not off the table.”

Council accepted the report for information.

The second project hoping to access the CSIF is from the Central Frontenac Washroom Committee for a new washroom/changeroom facility at the beach in Sharbot Lake.

CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn said the Township can conceivably do both this and the Mountain Grove ballfield project because they access two different streams of the CSIF. The ballfield would fall under Stream 1 which is for repair and/or upgrades of existing facilities whereas the washroom would be under Stream 2, which is for new and transformative facilities.

Coun. Duncan McGregor told Council that the washroom committee intends to use Grant Match to assist in its application. If the grant is successful, Grant Match would be paid 10 of the funds received for its services which would amount to $15,000 to $20,000.

“This is the third kick at the can for grants in 2024,” McGregor said. “The others weren’t successful so we’d like to use the professionals.”

MacMunn said Grant Match is one of the Township’s approved vendors and therefore can be sole-sourced.

“Duncan, I’m surprised this is a sole source,” said Dep. Mayor Susan Irwin. “I thought you were opposed to that.”

“I’ve been a strong advocate for not sole sourcing,” McGregor said. “In this instance, it could be an exception where we have to make a purchase ASAP, which falls under the old procurement bylaw and the new procurement bylaw.”

“That’s why sole sourcing is important so you can use it when you’re in situations like this,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“There is money in reserves earmarked for a similar building,” McGregor said. “And we’re still hoping to get money from outside sources like the County and trail users.”

“The County money is still ‘iffy,’” said Smith. “But I’m pretty positive we’ll get something.

“I’m working on it.”

“Every Grant Match application we’ve put in has been successful,” said Gowdy.

Bylaw Officer

Council passed a bylaw appointing Nicole Shorts bylaw enforcement officer. The position becomes effective Sept. 30.

Boat Launch

Council agreed to send a letter stating the Township has no objection to the Horseshoe and Crotch Lake Property Owners Association purchasing the boat launch at 1036 Horseshoe Lan from the Province of Ontario.

Association President David Sparrow said the property, valued at about $6,250, is unsuitable as a building lot (often flooded) and is the sole access for about 40 water access properties.

Sparrow said the boat launch won’t be blocked off from the public although there is a sign saying it’s only for the use of association members.

“That’s for insurance purposes,” he said. “We don’t police it or anything.”

Perth Hospital Seeks Funding

Council accepted for information a presentation from Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital’s MRI Chair Bruce Rigby where the PSFDH Foundation is asking the Township for $15,000 over three years towards the MRI project.

Rigby said the MRI facility is fully operational seeing patients and they’ve achieved about 50 per cent of their $6.1 million goal.

Mayor Frances Smith was non-committal but said they would discuss it at budget time.

“We’re not promising but we will take a look at it,” she said. “It’s excellent to have in our community and Perth is in our community.

“It’s where we go when we’re sick.”