THUNDER BAY – A $100,000 Fednor grant to support the restoration and upgrading of the carousel at Chippewa Park, those funds will be supplemented by an additional $200,000 from the City of Thunder Bay toward the project.
This Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) investment was announced on Saturday by Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedNor, the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario. Councillor at Large Aldo Ruberto, who is Thunder Bay’s acting Mayor in December made the announcement of the added $200,000 from the City of Thunder Bay.
Built in 1915 and located at Chippewa Park since 1935, the C.W. Parker carousel is one of only three such attractions in the world still operating today.
Given its age and the hundreds of thousands of children and adults it has entertained over its lifespan, the carousel’s wooden horses, display panels, electrical system and other features are in need of restoration. With the help of the Government of Canada, through FedNor, and the City of Thunder Bay, 14 of the carousel’s 28 horses will be professionally restored during this first phase of rehabilitation.
Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor said, “This investment is a community-building project to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. And there’s no better way to mark this milestone than to celebrate the places that bring us together – the places that allow us to stay fit, unwind, and connect with our friends and neighbours. That’s how we establish the bonds of common understanding and friendship in a country where people come from every corner of the world. The values of openness, diversity and inclusion that define all Canadians are forged in our community spaces.”
“Our government’s investments are helping to improve essential community infrastructure assets across the country and throughout Northern Ontario. By supporting the restoration of this important historical attraction, we are preserving our history, contributing to the long-term growth, prosperity and diversity of our communities, and improving the quality of life of local residents,” says Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River.
“I want to extend my thanks to MP Rusnak and the Government of Canada for the awarding of the Canada 150 grant to The Friends of Chippewa Park. Your commitment to the restoration of this important cultural and recreational asset is vital to the efforts of The Friends of Chippewa Park and to the City of Thunder Bay…and the City of Thunder Bay is pleased to join with the Government of Canada in this restoration by committing $200,000 towards the project,” added Councillor Aldo Ruberto, Acting Mayor, City of Thunder Bay.
“On behalf of the Friends of Chippewa Park, I would like to thank FedNor for this investment. The carousel and Chippewa Park have been a favourite destination for local families and visitors for nearly 100 years. Thanks to this investment, we will preserve a piece of our history and ensure that the carousel can be enjoyed by many more generations of children of all ages,” shared Lorraine Lortie Krawczuk President of The Friends of Chippewa.
