: The Ontario government is providing more than $ 46 million to support 648 non-profit tourism, culture, sport and recreation organizations through the Operating Component of the Community Development Fund, including 13 organizations in the Parry Sound area -Muskoka. The funding will be used to help them recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver much-needed programs and services in our community.

In Parry Sound-Muskoka, the local funding recipients are:

1. Port Carling Curling Club to receive $ 36,000
2. McDougall’s Ardeleana Chamber Music Society to receive $ 49,900
3. South River Curling Club will receive $ 28,500
4. Sail Parry Sound Inc. will receive $ 20,600
5. Tower Hill Museum in Parry Sound will receive $ 17,200
6. The Pointe au Baril Ojibway Club will receive $ 248,900
7. The Lake of Bays Marine Museum and Navigation Society in Dorset will receive $ 28,400
8. Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling to receive $ 50,000
9. Gravenhurst Curling Club to receive $ 50,000
10. Henvey Inlet First Nation to receive $ 99,400
11. The Commanda Community Center will receive $ 11,000
12. The Bala Cranberry Festival will receive $ 50,000
13. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 405 in Burk’s Falls to receive $ 41,800

The Community Development Fund was launched earlier this year and is administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) through two streams: operations and capital. Operational flow funding may be allocated to cover essential expenses, such as staff salaries and fixed operational costs, costs of equipment to accommodate public health and safety measures, and costs related to the operation. innovation and digital or mobile delivery of products and experiences.

“COVID-19 has posed a unique set of challenges for so many nonprofits that have a significant presence in Parry Sound-Muskoka, like the Bala Cranberry Festival I attended last weekend,” said MLA Norman Miller. “This funding will provide critical support to these organizations to help them weather the storm so they can continue to make positive and rewarding contributions to our community.”

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our government has been committed to supporting those who struggle the most,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “The Community Development Fund was designed with this in mind – to improve the quality of life for Ontarians and support local jobs. These grants will help nonprofits across Ontario stay in business – providing them with funding so they can adapt to the pressures of the pandemic and continue to deliver programs essential to economic well-being and social services of the communities of the province.

South River Curling Club President Bill O’Hallarn said: “Many small community and sports clubs like ours have been negatively affected in the past 18 months of the COVID 19 pandemic. The grant will go to one site Improved web, new equipment and will help us cover our operating expenses, which have increased by about 30% even when no income came in. On behalf of the members of the South River Curling Club, we are very grateful for securing the Community Development Fund grant.

“The Bala Cranberry Festival is thrilled to be the recipient of the Community Building Fund Operating Grant. This funding will allow the festival to define and execute a long-term sustainability strategy, investing in staff throughout the year, ”said Director of Events and Operations Tania Cowley. “This investment will be a game-changer for our festival and ensure that this growing community economic driver is strong and prosperous over the long term.” ”

At Royal Canadian Legion Branch 405 in Burk’s Falls, President Carol Downs said the grant will improve kitchen productivity, facilitate experience delivery, and maintain community engagement while meeting health guidelines. She said the grant gave the Legion much-needed relief, giving it “a head start for the future.”