MacKenzie, Ottawa to assist projects

Half a million arriving in Oxford
The federal government rode into Woodstock on a pony today to pony up some dollars to various projects around Oxford County.
As publicized earlier today on Heart FM (104.7 FM), 11 infrastructure grants from Ottawa as officially announced by Oxford MP Dave MacKenzie will include three much-needed improvements in Woodstock, including accessible washrooms at the sea cadet building in Southside Park. Another park project is refurbishing the baseball infield at the hardball diamond known as the Tip O'Neill Sportsfield. The Woodstock Community Complex and its Southwood Arenas may only be 16 years old, but the bathroom facilities at the adjoining Goff Hall are in dire need of updating and accessibility improvements.
None of the cheques are designed to pay the entire cost of a budgeted project, but rather a percentage.
Major renovations at the arena in Plattsville are also on the list, which is noted below.
Here is the Adam Nyp story as published on the Heart FM website:
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11 Local Projects Boosted by Federal Funds

While $553,000 isn't a lot of money to the federal government, it's going to make a big impact in small communities across Oxford County.

That pool of money is going to support 11 infrastructure projects in the County, including two big ones in Tillsonburg.
The Library is getting $275,000 to support upgrades, and a Lake Lisgar refurbishment is getting $56-thousand.
The funding covers 33-50% of the project costs.
Oxford MP Dave MacKenzie made the announcements in Woodstock and Tillsonburg today, saying the funding will help stretch local tax dollars.  "Around the county, there's things in various arenas and facilities, so it means that the smaller amounts of money goes a long ways for many of these communities for things that they may have wanted to do, but wouldn't have gotten around to it this year."
In Woodstock, the Community Complex and Sea Cadets building are each getting $25,000 for accessible washrooms.
Sea Cadet Branch President Brian Kaufman says the new washrooms are long overdue.  "As far as I know, it's a pre-war building.  We've been in here for over 25-years.  The washrooms. . . are quite old and needed some upgrading."

Woodstock Mayor Pat Sobeski says in some instances, the projects wouldn't get done without this money, including improvements to Tip O'Neill baseball field.  "That project, we might not have done for five years at the city.  So by the federal government committing these small amounts, it makes these projects doable."
Here's the full list of the projects: communities, projects, total projects costs, and federal funding dollars:

Community      Project                                                   Total Cost          Federal Funding
Woodstock - Sea Cadets Bldg. Washrooms                        $50,000           $25,000
Woodstock - Upgrades to Tip O'Neill Ball Field                   $45,355            $20,677
Woodstock -  Community Complex Washrooms                 $50,000            $25,000
Oxford County -  Tillsonburg Library Renovations              $831,000           $276,723
Tillsonburg -  Revitalization of Lake Lisgar                        $112,500           $56,250
Blandford-Blenheim - Plattsville Arena Boards and Glass    $162,500           $53,625
Blandford-Blenheim - HVAC - Princeton Centennial Hall      $26,900            $13,450
SWOX - Mount Elgin Hall - Air Conditioning                        $61,000            $18,319
SWOX -  Dereham Community Hall - Accessibility Upgrade  $61,000            $18,319
Zorra - Fridge Compressor, Lighting -Thamesford Arena     $120,000          $40,000
UTRCA -  Improvements -Pittock CA Swimming Pool          $18,000             $6,012

TOTAL:   11 projects                                                       $1,538,255         $553,375