Funding will help modernize important gathering space

 June 19, 2026

VERMILION BAY — The Ontario government is investing $64,170 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to help the Vermilion Bay District Lions Club replace the roof at its Lions Hall facility. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is making strategic investments to restore local infrastructure that supports the well-being of communities and contributes to the development of a strong northern Ontario.

“Not-for-profit organizations and their public facilities are important parts of northern communities,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Our government is pleased to support the Vermilion Bay District Lions Club as it revitalizes its hall, enabling the club to continue bringing people together and providing important services.”

The Vermilion Bay District Lions Club is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the regional community through fundraising initiatives and sponsoring numerous projects in and around Vermilion Bay. The Lions Hall serves as a vital community hub, hosting a wide range of activities, events and services, including an emergency food distribution centre, exercise classes, municipal meetings and more.

The roof replacement, supported by NOHFC funding, will extend the building’s useful life, helping preserve an important community asset for years to come. The new roof will reduce future maintenance and repair costs, prevent water and structural damage, and improve overall energy efficiency by supporting better temperature control within the facility.

“In the fall of 2024, we found the west side of our roof was rotting by a piece of metal falling off. When we went to repair it, the 1×4’s were rotten. We had a meeting and figured out we couldn’t afford to fix it ourselves,” said Tricia Paquin, President of the Vermilion Bay Lions Hall. “We reached out to Greg Rickford’s office, and they pointed us in the direction of NOHFC. We did the paperwork, and they gave us the grant money to get the roof done. Our hall is a dedicated emergency relief center. When an emergency happens, we have a generator and can keep people warm and fed. The Lion’s Hall is an important part of the community. We would like to thank MPP Greg Rickford and NOHFC for the help fixing our hall roof.”

“The Vermilion Bay Lions Hall has been a community pillar for nearly 70 years, providing a vital space for services that support the community and the surrounding region,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora – Rainy River. “Our investment to replace the roof will ensure the hall can continue to bring people together and serve this important function for decades to come.”

The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s investment of an additional $30 million over three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.

Quick Facts

• Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across northern Ontario.
• Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in over 8,600 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 13,400 jobs.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.