The provincial government is spending $3.65 million through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to fund a new water tower for the Town of Bancroft.
MPP Ric Bresee was in Bancroft to announce the new funding Monday morning.
The new water infrastructure will help support about 1,059 new homes in Bancroft.
Mayor Paul Jenkins says the current water tower was built in 1984 and is at the end of its useful life.
“This does, really, three things. It enables the long-term supply of safe drinking water for all of the residents that are here right now, and it provides capacity for housing that we already have on the books…and whatever future plans down the road,” Jenkins said.
“But it also supports the whole region, because it also supports all the commercial, institutional infrastructure,” he added.
Trevor Minnie of Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini was at the announcement, and said this new infrastructure will be significant for the 138 Indigenous people and everyone living in Bancroft.
“I think the infrastructure in Bancroft is tired. There is a lot of new things that are happening within the community, new buildings, apartment buildings, housing and stuff…this is about ten years over its due date, so it’s good news for the community,” he said.
The province said the funding brings the total number of homes enabled in Ontario through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to about 800,000.
