Latest news with #NeilLumsden
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
East Hamilton rec centre gets $287K for upgrades
The Ubuntu Athletic Centre , a multi-purpose recreation facility in east Hamilton, is receiving funding for upgrades totalling more than $287,000. The Ontario government announced the investment Monday. In a news release, Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden said renovations will improve the Ubuntu centre's 'functionality and hours of operation,' ultimately allowing it to increase by fivefold the number of people it serves in the community — from 1,000 to 5,000 — each year. The centre opened in 2023 at 26 Arrowsmith Rd., near Barton Street East and Centennial Parkway North. It was launched by Empowerment Squared, a local non-profit that 'supports communities through education, mentorship and leadership programs.' The name 'ubuntu' is a Zulu word that means 'humanity toward others.' The upgrade is the first of about 100 such investments under Ontario's $200-million sport and recreation infrastructure fund, said the release. Lumsden said investing in the centre is an example of his government 'delivering better services for people, while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people.' At the Ubuntu centre, improvements will include a new, second exit with automatic accessible doors, and expanded restroom facilities. Leo Nupolu Johnson, founder of Empowerment Squared, pictured in February 2024. In the release, Leo Nupolu Johnson of Empowerment Squared called the funding 'a powerful commitment that builds on the vision that our partners began two years ago when we launched the centre.' He added that renovations will allow the centre to 'respond to the overwhelming demand for accessible recreation, especially for historically marginalized communities in Hamilton.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Chow's office calls lower estimate for provincial FIFA cash for Toronto a ‘clawback'
The Toronto sign outside city hall is shown in this file photo. (Chris Fox/ Mayor Olivia Chow's office says a new, lower estimate for the amount of money Toronto will receive from the province to offset its costs for hosting six FIFA World Cup games next year amounts to a 'clawback.' Toronto could now be on the hook for more money than expected to host the six games, according to a new report set to go before Toronto City Council this week. Earlier this month, Chow's Executive Committee asked Sharon Bollenbach, the executive director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat, to report directly to City Council on the status of intergovernmental funding related to hosting six of the games. The estimated cost of holding six FIFA matches in the city is $380 million. Of that, the federal government has agreed to kick in $104.3 million, while the province is providing $97 million. The city is picking up $178.7 million of the cost. While the city was hoping that much of the provincial contribution would be in the form of cash to offset tournament expenses, the $97 million also includes services being provided by the province, such as policing, transportation and health care. In a statement, a spokesperson for Ontario's Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden said that the Ford government's 'investment of $97M to support hosting the 2026 FIFA world Cup in Toronto remains unchanged.' 'We are in constant contact with the city to ensure the successful delivery of this once-in-a-lifetime event,' he said. Costs 'substantially higher than budgeted,' says executive director of FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat The cost of some of those provincially-provided services, however, are 'substantially higher than budgeted,' a report from Bollenbach says. In some cases, the provincial services are 'completely unbudgeted' so far, the report states. The latest estimate for provincial services which are still being negotiated pegs those costs at around $39 million, leaving less cash than expected to offset city expenses. 'We understood the province would account for some of their costs in the $97 million they committed, but $40 million is a much larger clawback than expected, and for a broader range of services than expected, such as healthcare,' Chow's office said in a statement to CP24. 'Mayor Chow wishes to continue to negotiation with the province to free up those funds or will alternatively start looking to cut $40 million from the FIFA budget as a result of the provincial funding change.' The estimated provincial costs include $15 million from the Ministry of Health for paramedics and surge capacity; $2.5 million from the Ministry of Sport for project management and staffing; $6.6 million from the Ministry of Transportation for additional transit, free transit for volunteers, and additional security for highways; and $14 million for Ontario Provincial Police costs. The estimate does not include the full cost of provincial services that would be needed in the case of any emergency incidents arising out of the games. 'While negotiations continue to be productive, provincial service costs are still substantially higher than budgeted, and in some cases completely unbudgeted,' Bollenbach wrote. FIFA's World Cup 2026 office in Toronto The entrance to FIFA's World Cup 2026 office in Toronto with a display of match balls from FIFA World Cups dating back to the 1970 men's tournament is shown on Monday Dec. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Neil Davidson Her report did not say exactly how much cash the city could be short due to the higher cost estimates for provincial services. A separate report on procurement for the games found an $18 million funding gap, as of April 25, that the city is hoping to make up through donations, merchandise sales, music royalties, hospitality sales at the stadium, and opportunities around the FIFA Fan Festival. Bollenbach noted that an economic impact assessment conducted by Deloitte Canada estimated the games would contribute billions of dollars to Canada's economy, as well as 'substantial tax revenues' for the federal and provincial governments. 'FWC26 Toronto Secretariat will stay diligent in continuing negotiations with the province to reduce uncertainties around scope and lowering ministry service costs back to the City,' Bollenbach wrote. 'It is staff's intention to maintain as much of the $97 million contribution in cash to offset the City's hosting responsibilities while maintaining the approved budget envelop of $380 million approved by City Council.' The report is set to go before council later this week.
CBC
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Supercrawl and Because Beer among Hamilton festivals getting $605K boost from Ontario government
Thirteen festivals and events in Hamilton will get a boost this year with $605,000 extra from the provincial government. Well-known arts and music street festival, Supercrawl, will receive the largest grant at $125,000, said MPP Neil Lumsden, who represents Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, in a media release Tuesday. The Because Beer Festival, Winona Peach Festival and Hamilton Fringe Festival, among others, received $55,000 each. Smaller events such as FrancoFEST, the Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek and Boots in the Creek received $20,000. "These festivals and events are enjoyed by both residents and visitors, and they play an important role in strengthening our local economy – attracting tourists, supporting local businesses, and showcasing Hamilton as a dynamic cultural destination in the region," said Lumsden. The money was made available through 2025 Experience Ontario, a provincial program to help festivals and events grow and draw more visitors to the province and get them to stay longer. A total of $20 million was provided to 350 events across the province. A FrancoFEST organizer, Lanciné Koulibaly, previously told CBC Hamilton he is concerned the three-day event in June will see fewer people visiting from the U.S. because of the uncertain economy and trade war. FrancoFEST and Because Beer Festival also received federal loans announced last month. Hamilton festivals and events received the following amounts from the Ontario program: $20,000 for the Country Music Association of Ontario Festival, May 30 and June 1, venues across the city. $20,000 for the Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek, June 7-8, Battlefield House Museum and Park. $20,000 for FrancoFEST, June 20-22 at Gage Park. $55,000 for It's Your Festival, June 28-30 and July 1, Gage Park. $55,000 for Because Beer Festival, July 11-12 at Pier 4 Park. $55,000 for Hamilton Fringe Festival, July 16-27, venues across the city. $55,000 for Festival of Friends, TBD in August, Gage Park. $20,000 for Boots in the Creek 2025, Aug.15-16, downtown Stoney Creek. $20,000 for Dundas Cactus Festival, Aug. 15-17, across Dundas. $55,000 for Winona Peach Festival, Aug. 22-24 at Winona Park. $55,000 for Hamilton Day, Nov. 1-3, across the city. $50,000 for Hamilton Winterfest, dates TBD.
CBC
11-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Ontario Summer Games coming to Waterloo region in 2026
Young athletes from across the province will descend on Waterloo region in the summer of 2026 to compete in the Ontario Summer Games. The announcement was made Thursday morning in Waterloo by Ontario's Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden. "Our government is proud to support Waterloo region's bid to host the 2026 Ontario Summer Games, and provide Ontario's athletes with the opportunity to compete with their peers from across the province," said Minister Lumsden. "These games will attract thousands of visitors, driving domestic tourism to the region, boosting the economy and showcasing the fantastic attractions found throughout the area." The government has announced $1.6 million in funding for the games. That money will be used for upgrading and improving the infrastructure of some venues in the region which local organizers plan to mark as a legacy of the games. According to government estimates this sporting event will generate an estimated $6 million in domestic tourism revenue for the Region of Waterloo. Event planning starts now Allister Scorgie is the director of sport hosting at Explore Waterloo Region, and now chair of the organizing committee of the games. He says the preparation for the event starts now. "The most urgent thing that we need to do is bring people and experts in the various fields on board. So bringing in people to do medical and security and transportation management, volunteers, that's the most urgent thing," said Scorgie. "And then this summer we'll start to meet with all the sports." Scorgie says the province's ministry of sport will work with all the provincial sports bodies to decide which teams will take part. But before the sports are decided, Scorgie hopes people in the community will sign up to be a volunteer for the event. "We're going to need a ton of volunteers," said Scorgie. "So anyone that's interested in being involved in the games, if that's with a certain sport, if it's with athlete housing, if you're an athletic therapist and you want to help out with medical, where we're going to need so many hands and so many bodies to help manage such a big event." People interested in volunteering can sign up at the Explore Waterloo Region website on the sport hosting page. The 2026 Ontario Summer Games will be held in Waterloo region from July 30 to Aug. 2. Up to 4,000 youth between the ages of 12 and 18 along with their coaches, managers, families and other sporting officials will travel to the area. The games are held every two years and the Waterloo region version will have 24 sports, including baseball, lacrosse, soccer and rugby.
