$28,300 OTF grant from the Ontario government makes full-year access to historic community hall possible
On Sunday, local MPP John Jordan met with the members of the Board of Directors at Union Hall to hear more about the $28,300 capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to make significant energy retrofit improvements. The project will mean that the Hall is now available every month of the year to the rural community it serves for community activities and celebrations.
“The energy upgrades supported by provincial funding have given Union Hall a new lease on life so members of this community can gather on days such as this to share ideas, exchange information, and catch up with good conversation,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston. “The impact of local engagement is felt on so many levels at every age, and this government recognizes and supports the value of an active lifestyle. Thanks to the people who work behind the scenes to keep Union Hall a ‘warm’ and welcoming place to meet and foster a positive community spirit.”
The OTF grant funded the winterization of the hall, allowing it to remain open and serve its community throughout the year. Specifically, the funding supported the installation of insulation and heat pumps in the hall by volunteers and local businesses. Thanks to these improvements, the Hall can now serve as an event and programming space for the community through the winter months.
“The impact of this OTF grant cannot be understated,” said Mike McGarry, President of the Board of Directors of Union Hall. “Thanks to these renovations, we’ve been able to host a number of community events, including a children’s Christmas party, a craft fair, a potluck dinner and a Valentine’s Tea. The hall now also serves as a perfect place for yoga classes, line dancing, and soon we will host our annual Pancake Breakfast. None of this would have been possible without OTF’s support.”
Union Hall, a registered charity, has been a community hub since its construction in 1857. Built by local farmers in 1857, the Union Hall at the corner of Tatlock and Wolf Grove Roads has served as a community centre for 168 years. Maintained and operated entirely by volunteers, the hall is supported through hall and sign rentals and personal donations, with additional financial support from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills and The Hub, as well as local businesses.
Union Hall is located on unceded Anishinaabe and Algonquin territory. We acknowledge and give thanks for the First Peoples of the past who lived on and loved this land, travelled its waterways, and breathed its air before us and for those who are present among us now. To learn more about Union Hall, visit www.union-hall.org.
