Hospital Build Contract Awarded – construction begins this month

M. Sullivan & Son Limited has been selected by the Ontario government to begin construction of PEC’s new hospital, which is expected to begin this month. Partners and community members will get a glimpse of the innovative new hospital design and learn more about the build process later this fall. 

Mayor Steve Ferguson stated, “I want to congratulate all those involved in getting the project to this point, and I want to thank the community for their ongoing support for a new hospital. Your hard work and dedication will result in a leading-edge health-care facility to serve our community for many years to come.”

No Gravel Roads

The motion to approve the Returning Roads to Gravel policy was defeated at Council’s Committee of the Whole last month after a discussion that included numerous residents comments, deputations and the staff report on the idea. There will be no gravel road program.

Transportation Master Plan Amendment: final Public Consultation

The County completed a County-wide Transportation Master Plan in 2021. It is undertaking an amendment for Picton, required due to a level of population growth beyond what was assumed for the 2021 TMP.

At the Public Consultation Centre, the study team will provide a summary of the feedback received to date. It will also present and gather feedback on alternative solutions, recommended solutions, and next steps. Members of the study team will be present to answer questions.

The PCC runs 6-8 pm on Tuesday 16 July at the Prince Edward Community Centre, 375 Picton Main Street.

Municipal Community Grants Program 2024

27 community-minded non-profits will receive funding this year through the Municipal Community Grants Program. Funds support activities and initiatives in the arts, culture, heritage, recreation, environment, health and human services areas.

Municipal staff are working with The County Foundation to review the Grants Program. Early in 2024, community organizations were surveyed about their experiences with the current program, the services they provide and the challenges they face. Consultation on proposed program changes will continue over the summer. Recommendations come to Council in Fall 2024. Any changes will come into effect during the 2025 program.

The full list of 2024 grant recipients: https://www.thecounty.ca/government/municipal-community-grant-program/

Grants Below $5000:

• County Kids Read — To purchase non-fiction books to distribute to community youth and children: $4,659.50
• Feral Folc — Free gatherings all about repairing things in and with the community. Promotes social connection and sustainability: $1,000
• Gathering of Friends – Re-enactment of early Loyalist settlers at Ameliasburgh Museum: $150
• Grow with Me Programs — Nature/survival/cooking camp during March Break for children in Grades 3 to 6: $3,000
• Marilyn Adams Genealogical Centre — Storytime of personal and family histories within our community: $2,000
• PEC Lion’s Club — Music in the Park: Two-hour family-friendly music in the park event featuring local bands. June 11 to September 3 (Tuesday nights and 1 Sunday): $4,659.50
• Perfectly Preserved — Produce preserves and baked goods to be sold with all proceeds going directly to the hospital: $1,000
• Picton United Church Food Bank — Expanding food delivery service: $2,000
• Prince Edward 4-H Dairy Club — Youth program focused on dairy farming and Achievement Day at Picton Fair: $600
• The Hub Child and Family Centre — Educational sessions for parents and guardians surrounding the proper use and installation of car seats: $1,200
• Wellington Community Gardens — Soil upgrade/top up in raised beds: $500

Grants Over $5000

• Alchemy Artists Residency – Field Notes: Community Art Workshops: $5,000
• Alzheimer Society of Hastings Prince Edward — Supporting programming and educational opportunities: $5,568
• Baxter Arts Centre — Seven arts-related programs that aim to benefit the local community by offering free, accessible programming: $7,347
• Children’s Foundation — Playing for Keeps (Cover the registration fees of sports and other activities) and Camps of Hope (subsidizes the registration fees for camps for families in Prince Edward County): $7,500
• Community Development Council of Quinte — Good Baby Program. Participants can purchase diapers, wipes and infant formula at a cost much lower than retail: $7,500
• County Food Hub – Cooking Club is a five-week culinary course that provides no-cost, universally accessible cooking classes: $10,642
• County Stage Company – 2024 Artistic Season: Theatre, comedy and music performances, alongside complementary community outreach events: $5,000
• Department of Illumination — Annual Firelight Lantern Festival: $3,000
• Food to Share — rental costs of the County Food Hub kitchen to prepare and distribute meals: $10,441
• Friends of Sandbanks Park — Planting of a variety of native trees, shrubs and other plants in the area cleared of invasive Buckhorn: $5,189.52
• Greater Than Youth Collective & Prince Edward Learning Centre — Activities for youth engagement including four Hackathons, co-launching a cooking series at the County Food Hub, and collaborating on a Youth Mental Health Summit: $16,848.48
• Quintissimo – Free, after school, instrumental music program to reach 40 under-served kids ages 6-11 at PECI: $7,700
• South Shore Joint Initiative – Wild Thing — Outdoor and educational opportunities for young people around environmental topics: $12,744
• St. Andrew’s Anglican Wellington — Refurbishment and upgrade of the church hall to improve community programming: $10,000
• The Hub @ 31 King (St. Andrew’s Presbyterian) — Hosting open sessions for seniors on a variety of topics related to aging: $9,236
• Volunteer Information Quinte — Programs assisting with recruitment, referral, retention, and recognition for volunteers: $6,000