NEWS

Stimulus Fund Project Update

Thanks to the infusion of over $10,500,000.00 of Federal and Provincial funding (your taxes being brought back to Lambton Shores to work for you!), several important projects are nearing their way to completion.

In Forest nearly $7,500,000.00 is being spent on the replacement of 1928 vintage cast iron water pipes that have over time become extremely clogged with the build up of calcium from the old well water that used to run through them. As a result of the new Ontario Drinking Water Guidelines, the Municipality was mandated to implement a plan to replace these old mains (approximately 8 kilometres). Prior to obtaining Stimulus Funding, the Municipality’s plan was to gradually replace these over time. Estimates were that the replacement plan could have taken over 12 to 15 years to complete. With the funding we were able to change over nearly 80% of those mains in one year. The new mains now meet Provincial Guidelines and we were able to improve flows and water pressure in the town at the same time.

In Thedford the aging Thedford-Bosanquet Arena facility (built in the early 1970’s) was identified as being in need of a major face lift and enhancement and monies were being put away to build up reserve funds for that purpose. With the announcement of $3,000,000.00 in Stimulus Funding, Council seized on the opportunity to undertake a major renovation that would not only revitalize a key component of the community, make it more efficient to operate (through state of the art energy efficiencies) but incorporate a new accessible community library as part of what is now being referred to as the Thedford Legacy Centre. The new facility will not only have state of the art energy efficiencies making it the first LEED designated building in Lambton Shores, it will be entirely accessible as well.

The Main St. of Grand Bend is getting a major facelift as part of a $3,500,000.00 revitalization, thanks to nearly $1,500,000.00 in Stimulus Funding. The project is key to stabilizing and strengthening the core commercial area of Grand Bend for now and in the future. The upgrades will make the sidewalks safer, wider and more accessible than in the past, new streetlighting will enhance aesthetics and safety and new planters will add beautiful vegetation to a street that was bereft of it. Not only will the sidewalks and road crossings be more accessible, the Municipality was also able to work with local businesses to enhance access to their stores and restaurants. While some parking was lost in the process, alternative arrangements have been to recover that in a new parking lot in the core area.

The core area of the village of Thedford was identified as being in need of a major makeover in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the core area but to also inspire other businesses to follow suit. The new $500,000.00 parkette in the very heart of the community will establish a beautiful oasis where residents and visitors can gather, relax and enjoy the new ameneties that the parkette offers, which include a new gazebo (recreation of the former village band stand that used to exist at this site) but also a new fully accessible playground for young children, beautiful gardens to admire and a grassy area to have a picnic or just toss a frisbee. It will also serve as a community gathering place for community events.

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