UPSALA – The Ontario government is providing $180,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to the Upsala Local Services Board to renovate the Upsala Recreation and Community Sports Centre. The upgrades will improve accessibility and services for local residents, as well as enhance facility operations.

“Our support for the Upsala Local Services Board through the NOHFC will help with much-needed upgrades to the Upsala Recreation and Community Sports Centre,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. “This includes improvements to their storage building and the purchase of a power generator to maintain essential services for local residents. This funding is another example of our government’s dedication to providing small rural communities the resources they need to thrive.”

The Upsala Local Services Board will use NOHFC funding to upgrade the Upsala Recreation and Community Sports Centre, which includes constructing a new foyer, renovating the bathroom, and installing a storage garage and two backup generators.

“On behalf of the Township of Upsala, I would like to thank the NOHFC and the Ontario government for the community enhancement grant,” said Doug Kim, Chair of the Upsala Local Services Board. “We are thrilled about this opportunity and will be using the grant to make our town more accessible and functional, and to bolster our emergency preparedness.”

“Our government is focused on promoting health and wellness in the Northwest by investing in communities and enhancing recreational facilities.” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Our new and improved NOHFC programs ensure municipal partners in the Northwest, like the Upsala Local Services Board, have access to the support they need to provide safe, accessible and vibrant community centres to keep people of all ages engaged and active.”
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.
• The NOHFC’s Community Enhancement Program builds strong and resilient northern communities through targeted investments in critical infrastructure.

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.

Media Contacts

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