Jul 03, 2009 - 11:49 AM

By Jeff Hayward

UXBRIDGE -- Township facilities will be upgraded thanks to financial help from upper levels of government. But Uxbridge's biggest grant request has been denied.

Uxbridge earlier this year applied for a number of grants under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which sees provincial and federal governments cover two-thirds of capital improvements, leaving the municipality to foot the remainder of the bill. And while money will flow for Uxbridge's downtown revitalization efforts and for work relating to the pool and arena, the Township is on its own to cover an estimated $4-million bill to upgrade buildings and possibly knock others down at the Kennedy House property on Main Street North.

According to Uxbridge Mayor Bob Shepherd, the Township has been granted $400,000 to be used for street lighting from Main to Victoria streets along Brock Street West, where road reconstruction is underway from Toronto Street westward.

"That'll help to bring the whole street together," said the mayor.

The provincial and federal governments are chipping in an equal share of cash for other needed work, according to a release from the office of Durham MP Bev Oda. Those investments include $423,000 toward repairs to Uxbridge's Brock Street arena, where roof work is required, noted Mayor Shepherd. Another $236,000 will be handed over for upgrades to Uxpool on Parkside Drive. The cash for the pool will likely be put toward a new change room, said the mayor.

"My vision is to build a full-sized competitive pool at Kennedy House in five to 10 years," he added.

Of the denied funding for Kennedy House, the mayor said: "We were told we didn't get (the grant) because of environmental issues," adding it may be due to asbestos in the buildings. But he said the failed request won't affect the timeline of the work.

"It won't delay anything, but it would've sped some things along."

Although there is no formal appeal process, according to the mayor: "I'm not giving up on this (grant.)

The Township also requested grants for roadwork, but no funding was mentioned from the MP's office for reconstruction of portions of Davis Drive and Concession 2. Those projects weren't slated for this year, noted Ben Kester, director of public works.

The approved work will create jobs and stimulate the local economy, according to the release from Ms. Oda. "Investments in these local projects will enhance the facilities and services available, while contributing to the health and quality of life in each of our communities," said Ms. Oda.

Added Durham MPP John O'Toole, "I am pleased to see the federal and provincial governments working together to invest in local infrastructure priorities."