Ontario Supporting Installation of Outdoor Sports Court in Connaught

Posted on September 16, 2024

CONNAUGHT – The Ontario government is providing $311,094 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to the Connaught Community Association and the City of Timmins to build an outdoor sports court. This investment will improve the quality of life for residents and increase opportunities for physical activity in the region.

“Our government is providing NOHFC funding to build an outdoor multi-use sports court in Connaught,” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins. “This funding will enable members of the community to get together and skate, play basketball, tennis, pickleball and badminton with friends and family at a facility close to their homes.”

The Connaught Community Association and the City of Timmins will use NOHFC funding to install an outdoor multi-use sports court next to the Connaught Community Hall, playground and pavilion. The court will have basketball hoops and a multi-net system for tennis, pickleball and badminton. Overhead lights, fencing and a trailer for changing into sports equipment will also be installed. Additionally, the court will be used as a skating rink during the winter.

The court will transform Connaught Park into the cornerstone of the community – a hub where residents and visitors of all ages can gather outdoors and participate in activities that match their interests and abilities.

“NOHFC funding has allowed our organization to complete our project,” said Linda Lefort, President, Connaught Community Association. “The sports courts will invigorate the community of Connaught, keeping youth and seniors active at a place near home.”

“Our government is focused on promoting health and wellness by enhancing community recreational infrastructure in every corner of the North,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Our modernized NOHFC programming ensures northern municipal partners, like the Community of Connaught, have access to the support they need to leverage multi-use community spaces for families of all ages.”

The NOHFC fosters economic growth, job creation and workforce development throughout the North, benefiting communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $835 million in 6,713 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.4 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 10,380 jobs.

Quick Fact

• The Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.
• The NOHFC’s Community Enhancement Program builds strong and resilient northern communities through targeted investments in critical infrastructure.

Media Contacts

Curtis Lindsay, Minister’s Office -- 437-240-7317 -- curtis.lindsay@ontario.ca
Media Desk, Communications Branch -- mediadesk.ndm@ontario.ca