$60K grant will help make Pointe Des Chenes more accessible

The Ontario government says it will fund $60,000 worth of accessibility upgrades at Pointe Des Chenes.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is receiving an Inclusive Community Grant for its Pointe Des Chenes Day Park and Beach – Removing Barriers and Improving Accessibility Project.

“The Inclusive Community Grant in Sault Ste. Marie is great for our community,” Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie said in a news release. “This shows that we are committed to building a stronger, more inclusive Ontario.”

The upgrades will include updating accessible parking, paths of travel, widening doors and adding door actuators to provide wheelchair access to bathrooms and change rooms, access to the water and into the water using Mobi-mats and water wheelchair, according to the release.

“This project will help so many people have more access to Pointe Des Chenes and Lake Superior,” said Raymond Cho, minister for seniors and accessibility. “Together we are fighting social isolation and building a more accessible and inclusive Sault Ste. Marie.” 

The project is designed to help more people have access to Pointe Des Chenes Park by removing barriers.

“This funding from the Government of Ontario is greatly appreciated and I can say with certainty that it will be put to good use by increasing and improving access to a foremost recreational opportunity," said Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. 

"It will help people with differing accessibility needs participate in recreation and leisure activities with family and friends at the Pointe Des Chenes Day Park and Beach.”

“Enhancing accessibility can be challenging in the natural beauty of Pointe Des Chenes,” added Diane Morrell, accessibility coordinator with the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

“Thanks to the Inclusive Communities Grant, we’re able to address these challenges to make this space inclusive for individuals with mobility impairments. The grant’s support will be instrumental in implementing crucial infrastructure upgrades, fostering community engagements, and facilitating inclusive events and activities in this beautiful space.”

The province says it is supporting municipalities and not-for-profit organizations across Ontario through the Inclusive Community Grant program. Since 2020, the program has funded 87 projects for a total of $4.5 million.

Ontario says it is funding a total of 15 community-based projects as part of the 2023-24 cycle of the program.