Ontario Enhancing Recreational Infrastructure in Blind River

BLIND RIVER – The Ontario government is providing $735,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to the Town of Blind River for two economic development projects. This investment will improve municipal and recreational infrastructure and promote physical and social activities in Northeastern Ontario.

“For rural Northern Ontario communities like Blind River, local community centres and playgrounds are an important hub for families and organizations,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Through the NOHFC, our government is proud to invest in multi-use spaces that attract residents from across the region and support healthy, connected communities.”

The NOHFC is funding the following projects:

$450,000 for the Town of Blind River to install a new roof membrane on the Blind River Community Centre
$285,000 for the Town of Blind River to renovate six public-use sites. The sites include four outdoor playgrounds and two courts used for pickleball and tennis.

“Blind River is committed to rejuvenating its existing infrastructure,” said Sally Hagman, Mayor, Town of Blind River. “The NOHFC funding helps ensure that our treasured Blind River Community Centre is updated and remains open for a multitude of activities for decades to come.”

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $685 million in 5,656 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,000 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.