A new community kitchen is coming to Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) thanks to a $92,500 Ontario150 Community Capital Program grant awarded to the Town of Oakville.
“Our arts and cultural spaces play a vital role in making Oakville vibrant and lively. Thanks to this very special Ontario150 Community grant, the Town of Oakville can invest in the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre to further enrich the lives of members of our community in a meaningful way,” said Kevin Flynn, MPP for Oakville.
A commercial-grade kitchen to provide a venue for cooking and nutrition programs for all ages was identified as a community need during the construction of the facility in 2012 but was not completed at the time due to budget restrictions.
“Investing in Oakville’s cultural anchors, like QEPCCC, is a key part of the town’s cultural plan and a crucial way we help residents connect with their community,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We are pleased to be adding a community kitchen that all members of the community can share and enjoy with their neighbours.”
In addition to providing space for culinary programs, the kitchen will be available for community rentals and events. The renovation, expected to be complete in early 2018, will cost a total of $257,000 with the town contributing $164,500 from its 2017 capital reserve.
Administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario, Ontario150 Community Capital Program grants will help nonprofit organizations, municipalities and Indigenous communities renovate, repair and retrofit existing community and cultural infrastructure. The one-time grant has been designed to help honour the province’s past, showcase the present and inspire future generations. For more information on the Ontario Trillium Foundation, please visit otf.ca.