Brockville Ontario - As a train whistle blew on Thursday afternoon, Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown, standing in the entrance of Brockville's historic Railway Tunnel, announced this project was one of the seven recipients to receive funding of $275,000.
 
Six other projects will also benefit from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program totalling $512,304.
 
"Through this new program we are investing $150 million across Canada to rehabilitate, renovate, and expand existing public infrastructures," said Brown.
 
"This program is a key part of our government's plan to create jobs, growth, and long term prosperity. Also a key part the government's wide approach to celebrate Canada 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017."
 
Brown continued to say that the theme for this anniversary will be strong, proud, and free.
 
The regional development agencies across Canada with Federal Economic Development Agency for South Ontario (FedDev Ontario) will deliver $44.4 million in southern Ontario.
 
"I would be remise if I didn't mention additional federal support for the Brockville Railway Tunnel through the Eastern Ontario Development Program, administered by the Thousand Islands Community Development Corporation, the $25,000 to help with grant writing," indicated Brown.
 
"This is the first round of this fund, so as we move toward 2017 to celebrate our 150th anniversary, there will be more opportunities for other funds out there right now and I encourage people to apply. They are all online at the Heritage website."
 
As for acting mayor for Brockville and Brockville Railway Tunnel Committee chair, Councillor David LeSueur, he indicated that this is the step that puts the tunnel closer to the date of opening in 2017.
 
"This is also part of the Brock Trail for Brockville," stated LeSueur.
 
"Our tunnel is a heritage asset for Canada, but our vision is to make it a recreational resource for local residents and an attraction to boost tourism. As a new part of the Brock Trail, the tunnel and the gorge at the tunnel's north entrance will be an important hub connecting our downtown and waterfront attractions, such as our new Aquatarium, to the rest of the city."
 
He referred to the uniqueness of the tunnel as being Canada's first railway tunnel which all of Canada will soon become aware of.
 
"Restoration of Canada's first railway tunnel will be Brockville's heritage birthday gift to Canada," said LeSueur.
 
"Our tunnel is an important symbol of our country's railway history and of our industrial past. It's a very solid structure at 155-years-old and a remarkable work of engineering for its time. We are really looking forward to having the prime minister or maybe some of the royal family to actually cut the ribbon."

Doreen Barnes.

OKthePK Joint Bar Editor:  Article abridged - non-relevant data removed.

       

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