News Release

Pikangikum Multi-Purpose Centre Gets Boost

July 08, 2009

McGuinty Government Supports First Nation Community Development

NEWS 

Ontario is investing in a new multi-purpose centre for the Pikangikum First Nation.

The facility includes a number of programs and services to promote healthy lifestyles, such as a gymnasium, early childhood development and fitness equipment. The centre will also provide adults in the community with the opportunity to learn and improve their education, while the fitness and recreational facilities will help promote a healthy quality of life for youth in Pikangikum

The multi-purpose centre is expected to create up to seven full-time jobs and as many as eight part-time jobs. The construction phase of the project is expected to create several temporary jobs.

QUOTES

“Community centres provide a venue for many social and recreational activities for First Nations members of all ages. We are pleased to continue investing in the development of northern First Nation communities.”
- Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and Chair of the (NOHFC).  

QUICK FACTS

• The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) invested an additional $485,000 to help the community address additional costs to complete the facility.
• In March of 2008, the Pikangikum First Nation received $508,000 through the NOHFC’s Infrastructure and Community Development Program to invest in the multi-purpose facility.
• The Pikangikum First Nation heads the Whitefeather Forest Initiative, a plan to harbour the benefits of their abundance of forestry resources to renew the local economy and provide a prosperous future for the youth.
  

LEARN MORE

• About Pikangikum First Nation.
• About the Pikangikum Whitefeather Forest Initiative.
  

Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister’s Office, 416-327-0655
Michel Lavoie, Communications Branch, 705-564-7125   

ontario.ca/north-news

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