Zorra Township receives provincial grant to upgrade community centres

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Ontario government is investing just under $500,000 to protect jobs and upgrade two recreation facilities in Oxford. Just over half of that money will go towards much-needed improvements in Zorra.

The township will receive $259,667 to upgrade aging refrigeration components and lighting at the Embro Zorra Community Centre and Thamesford District Recreation Centre, enhancing energy efficiency, improving safety and ensuring optimal conditions for ice sports.

The investments are part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a provincewide initiative that helps communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario.

Deputy Mayor Katie Grigg said it’s exciting news for the township.

“These funding streams are highly competitive, so we are very fortunate to have been successful with our applications. Our recreation facilities are such important hubs in our communities, as they are in all municipalities. Beyond just places we go to play sports and attend events, they are vital to gathering, forming connections, building supports between each other, and the facilitator of what makes these places the best places to call home.”

Both Zorra recreation centres, in Embro and Thamesford, are aging and the township is facing tax pressures to keep them reliable for residents, as well as identifying areas for improvement to be more energy efficient.

“This grant funding will help ensure we are able to stay active, keep gathering, and not feel the stress on our tax levy that is already under the pressures of so many other rising costs,” added Grigg.

“Investing in local recreation facilities is an investment in the health and well-being of our communities,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “I’m proud that our government is providing nearly $500,000 to support upgrades in Oxford. These improvements will ensure that families, youth, and seniors have safe, modern spaces to stay active and connected.”

The province said it received over $1.2 billion in applications from across the province in what was a highly competitive grant application process.

“I have a background in fundraising and grant writing, however, I don't think that specific experience is necessary,” said Sofia Caldwell, the township’s manager of recreation and facilities. “Staff need to have a solid understanding of the project's need, value and alignment to the funder's goal to create a compelling case. There are also external professional grant writers available to support this work.”

The total cost for all projects is approximately $500,000 spread across Zorra’s 2025-2027 capital budgets. If projects come under budget, funds will return to reserves to be used for other high-priority initiatives and asset replacements.

“The Thamesford District Recreation Centre and Embro Zorra Community Centre are reaching their 100th anniversary, and while there have been significant renovations over the years, they now face critical capital needs to ensure the continued delivery of reliable and safe programming,” explained Caldwell. “Our refrigeration equipment has reached the end of its useful life, leading to an increased risk of system failure and service disruption, and the lighting in our parking lots is insufficient and poses safety and accessibility risks.”

Our patrons will experience consistently high-quality ice conditions, enhancing sports, figure skating, and public skating experiences as well as improved parking lot lighting which will contribute to a greater sense of safety and accessibility.

Caldwell added the township is grateful to the province for investing in the community and recognizing the importance of providing rural communities with access to high-quality recreational opportunities.

“These projects will ensure that our two centres can remain a place for our community to gather and be active together for years to come, while also reducing the environmental impact.”

“At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services for people while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “With investments in infrastructure like this, we are protecting Ontario jobs, strengthening our communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.”

CSRIF is a key part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers, businesses and families by unleashing the economy and getting more shovels in the ground, with a historic $200 billion investment to build highways, hospitals, transit, schools and other critical infrastructure across the province.