Grants help to create renewed spaces out of recycled tires

Ontario Tire Stewardship's Community Renewal Fund grant reopens to support green development across Ontario

TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Ontario communities can get a little extra help when planning their next community project with the Community Renewal Fund, offered by Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS). The grant, which offers up to $50,000 to put toward building or renewing spaces using sustainable materials made with recycled Ontario tire rubber, challenges communities to consider innovative ways of updating their shared spaces with recycled resources.

"We are thrilled at the response we've had with our program and excited to help communities across Ontario bring their projects to life in a way that supports the circular economy," says Claudia Hawkins, Director of Promotions & Education OTS. "Our goal is to help organizations rethink the way they approach building or updating community spaces by using earth friendly products.  Ontario Tire Stewardship's Community Renewal Fund is one way we can encourage more sustainable options."

The Community Renewal Fund promotes the use of Ontario-manufactured recycled rubber products such as rubber mulch, athletic and arena flooring, roof shakes, sidewalk pavers, and playground surfacing, encouraging earth friendly building and development while boosting the Ontario economy.

Since the program's inception a total of 48 projects in 37 communities across Ontario have been awarded funding for new and need-to-be-renewed public spaces, playgrounds, fitness tracks, and other shared community spaces.

Among the community areas that received a green facelift, was the Harbourfront Centre's Natrel Rink that was furnished with recycled rubber flooring made from recycled Ontario tires. A complete look at the transformation can be viewed on Rethink Tire's YouTube channel.

The following new projects have been approved for funding in 2016, and the list will soon be growing!

• City of Brampton, Fred Kee Park – Playground Surfacing
• City of Oshawa, Arborwood Park – Playground Surfacing
• City of Temiskaming, Community Gathering Area – Athletic Flooring
• Corporation of the town of Richmond Hill, Morgan Boyle Park – Playground Surfacing
• City of Toronto, Leonard Linton Park – Playground Surfacing
• Corkery Community Association, Corkery Skating Rink – Rink Matting
• Toronto District School Board, St. Mary's Centre for Health and Wellness – Athletic Flooring

Ontario-based community groups such as municipalities, non-profit community groups or organizations, schools, or First Nations communities are all invited to apply to the Community Renewal Fund for their projects in 2016.

For more information about the OTS Community Renewal Fund and to apply online, Ontarians can visit rethinktires.ca.

About the OTS Community Renewal Fund

The Community Renewal Fund is a funding program that is available to help Ontario community groups Rethink, Rebuild and Renew community spaces.

• Rethink the way they approach new projects and consider sustainable options.
• Support Ontario's economy by choosing to Rebuild old or inefficiently used spaces using products made from locally produced recycled materials.
• Renew public areas so they reach their full potential and can be enjoyed by the entire community.

About Ontario Tire Stewardship

Established in 2009, Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) is an Industry Funding Organization (IFO) incorporated under Ontario's Waste Diversion Act, to implement and operate the Used Tires Program.

At OTS, we are transforming the relationship Ontarians have with the lifecycle of their tires, through a comprehensive approach that takes into account our environment, our economy and our quality of life. Through the Used Tires program, 100 per cent of Ontario tires get efficiently and responsibly recycled into new products, leading to more livable communities and a growing green economy in this province. 

SOURCE Ontario Tire Stewardship

To arrange an interview with an Ontario Tire Stewardship representative please contact: Eric McLean, 416-969-2756, [email protected]