Nine Ontario communities to go green in 2016: Ontario Tire Stewardship announces first wave of Community Renewal Fund recipients

Ten projects across nine communities awarded up to $50,000 in funding with additional projects to be announced spring 2016

TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Nine communities across the province will be receiving a green facelift this year as they Rethink, Rebuild and Renew their community spaces through Ontario Tire Stewardship's (OTS) Community Renewal Fund (CRF). The CRF provides eligible Ontario-based communities and non-profit organizations up to $50,000 towards the purchase and installation of Ontario-manufactured recycled rubber products.

"The CRF is designed to encourage municipalities to rethink the way they approach building or updating community spaces and consider more sustainable options," says Andrew Horsman, executive director of OTS. "We are extremely happy to lend a helping hand to these forward-thinking communities and would like to congratulate all of this year's grant recipients."

OTS is pleased to announce the first wave of projects to receive funding through the CRF:

• City of Vaughan – York Hill District Park – accessible playground rubber surfacing
• Township of Greater Madawaska – surfacing for portable pickle ball court at Calabogie Outdoor Arena
• Women's Resources of Kawartha Lakes – Vicky's Values warehouse flooring
• Township of King – King Heritage and Cultural Museum recycled rubber parking lot
• Riverdale Immigrant Women Enterprises – Sustainable rooftop garden & patio
• Town of Erin – Lion's Park playground rubber surfacing and mulch
• Town of Richmond Hill – Pattern Park playground rubber surfacing
• Norfolk County – Lakeview Park playground rubber surfacing
• Township of McMurrich/Monteith – Recycled rubber sidewalks
• Harbourfront Centre – Rubber surfacing around Natrel Rink (Demonstration Project)

One organization that benefited greatly from funding provided by OTS was Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. This past December, 8,600 square feet of rubber flooring made with recycled Ontario tires was installed in the areas surrounding the Centre's Natrel Rink including the change rooms and throughout the restaurant. The project diverted 715 tires from sitting in a landfill.    

"As a registered charity, outside funding like that offered by OTS' Community Renewal Fund is very important to our organization. The fund enabled us to upgrade aging skate mats, which are vital to our winter operations," says Marah Braye, CEO at Harbourfront Centre. "We're thrilled to provide an eco-friendly space where our community members can experience first-hand the kind of innovative products that are made using recycled tires – something that was once considered waste." 

OTS will announce the second wave of 2015 CRF grant recipients this spring.

For more information about the OTS Community Renewal Fund, 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: Talha Wasti, 416-969-2658, [email protected]; Molly Wilkie, 416-969-1668, [email protected]