Arts, culture and recreation are getting a boost throughout Chatham-Kent thanks to the Hydro One ward funding program.
The projects for 2025, some of which have already been completed, were outlined to council in a report July 14, prepared by Victoria Bodner, C-K’s manager of community attraction and promotion.
The total for all is just under $168,000.
The biggest investment is going to projects in Wallaceburg. Wallaceburg Legion Branch 18 is getting $50,000 for the creation of a Memorial Wall to honor local veterans, and $15,000 for the Wallaceburg BIA’s River of Light project aimed at increasing the number of lighting displays in the downtown during the holidays.
Four Chatham initiatives are benefitting from the funding. Projects with the BIA include a new mural in the downtown at a cost of $17,000 and new Canadian flags with mounting brackets to be displayed along King Street.
In addition, Friends of the Chatham Pipes and Drums received $14,400 to purchase new uniforms prior to band members travelling to Holland to take part in the 80th Liberation Tour.
A stencil to outline new basketball courts at Taylor Park was also funded at a cost of $1,099.
A total of $15,000 in cash is headed to East Kent with $2,500 destined to purchase trees to mark Ridgetown’s 150th birthday and $5,000 to support an art installation at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. The Mary Webb Centre will receive $7,500 for the stained-glass dome rehabilitation and lighting.
Ward 4 is also getting $15,000 in funding. A total of $8,000 is being spent on a new kayak launch at Mitchell’s Bay and the Dresden BIA will see $7,000 go towards the installation of new banners celebrating community culture.
In Ward 1, new banners and brackets for Wheatley Legion Branch 324 to celebrate local veterans received $1,500.
In an initiative celebrating all wards, $24,500 is going towards the creation of a SheLeads documentary celebrating the achievements and contributions of women in Chatham-Kent.
The Ward Funding Program, which allows the mayor and council to contribute to local projects, is made possible thanks to $1 million in annual funding for a 10-year period in exchange for hosting Hydro One infrastructure projects.
Each year the mayor has $125,000 to spend on projects. Each councillor is allotted $25,000.
