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Columbus Centre receives $100,000 investment

The Canadian government is investing $100,000 toward upgrades to the pool area at the Fort William Columbus Centre in Thunder Bay.
Columbus Centre
Columbus Centre financial secretary John Raynak

THUNDER BAY -- After nearly 40 years in operation, the Columbus Centre on Thunder Bay's south side recently got a much-needed facelift. And now, that project is being partially paid for, thanks to FedNor.

The centre on May Street has been operated by the local Knights of Columbus, as well as volunteers, since 1977.

The facility needed upgrades to its swimming pool and roof.

A funding application was made to the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, but because of the pressing need, the work went ahead right away and has already been completed.

On Wednesday, MP Don Rusnak issued a media release, saying FedNor would provide $100,000 the project.

Columbus Centre financial secretary John Raynak the entire project cost the centre about $320,000.

“The roof itself was leaking, it started to leak through and all the beams and everything was starting to rust, so the roof had to come off and a whole new roof had to go on,” Raynak said.

“Then with all the volunteers we stripped the paint out of the pool, off the walls, off the roof and we repainted the whole place from scratch.”

Raynak added new steps were placed in the pool and they redid the sauna, which cost them another $50,000.

The funding is part of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, which is meant to strengthen communities by helping extend the life of facilities like the Columbus Centre.

(TBT News)





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