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Devlin Community Centre Aug 2023 (1)

Upgrades to Devlin Hall aided with government funding

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The township of La Vallee is benefiting from funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

It is using more than $250,000 on renovations to the Devlin Community Centre.

The work started last November

It includes new flooring, windows and air conditioning units and improvements to the kitchen and bar area.

“Upgrades to improve safety, accessibility, energy and efficiency were a top priority for residents that attended our community strategic planning session in 2023,” states Reeve Lucille MacDonald in a release.

“Council and staff have worked diligently on this plan. Funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is making this plan a reality.”

The building has been around for 113 years.

It has provided residents with a place to meet, celebrate special occasions, socialize, learn and exercise.

The township also used the hall as its Emergency Evacuation Centre.

“A strong sense of community is essential to people’s well-being, which is why our government continues to support projects like this across northern Ontario,” states George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth.

“By helping La Vallee revamp its community hall, our government is ensuring residents of all ages have a space to host events and programming close to home.”

“The NOHFC is strengthening the quality of life in La Vallee through upgrades to the Devlin Community Hall,” states Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River.

“These enhancements are improving accessibility, reducing maintenance costs, supporting increased use of the facility and ensuring we continue to have a place to gather, celebrate, exercise, learn and more.”

The hall is closed while the renovations take place.

Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation Community Centre

Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation receiving just under $900,000 to build a modular training centre

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The provincial government is spending some money to support workforce development in Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation.

A total of $894,305 is being sent to the community through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

The funding is being used to build a modular training centre in the community.

“On behalf of Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation, we are grateful for the opportunity to have a dedicated training facility for our community,” said Chief Merle Loon.

“This facility brings a sense of progressive independence that will ultimately contribute to our nation’s growth. The Leadership of Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation shares its sentiments with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation announcement with respect and appreciation.”

The centre will make it easier for Indigenous job seekers to gain relevant skills and for Indigenous workers to enhance their knowledge and adapt to industry trends.

The new building will have seven multi-purpose rooms to enable training, workshops, events and meetings, and includes a kitchen, washrooms and storage spaces.

The province hopes that the centre will help reduce labour shortages by offering programs, such as youth and elder traditional outdoor learning, adult work training programs and advanced project management classes.

Mishkeegogamang is located about 500 km northwest of Thunder Bay, and about 30 km south of Pickle Lake.

Highway 599 passes through the community, making it accessible all year-round.

Wisk Air Helicopters

Thunder Bay helicopter company now authorized dealer of aviation electronics

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Wisk Air Helicopters, a Thunder Bay helicopter business, has acquired authorization from Garmin to become a dealer of their avionics (aviation electronics).

Wisk Air provides helicopters and related services in fields including forest firefighting, search and rescue, and forestry industry inventory.

Mark Wiskemann, President and CEO of Wisk Air Helicopters, explains that previously, Wisk Air had to source its avionics from faraway places.

“We would find avionics support wherever we could get it. We’ve had folks from British Columbia, from Kelowna, from Campbell River, from Central Ontario… but they’re always in high demand, so getting services when you need it was very difficult. Now this is much easier.”

By becoming an authorized avionics dealer itself, Wisk Air will be able to service helicopters in northwestern Ontario more quickly and reliably.

“That’s the importance of having a helicopter company that provides avionics. It is the instant repair capacity that we provide,” Wiskemann says.

Wisk Air was able to take advantage of a program with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to hire interns with government support.

“The NOHFC, through our internship part of the program, was able to provide some interns to Wisk Air that are now staying on,” says Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

“Without the investment through the NOHFC, we’re being told that this probably wouldn’t have been possible because it’s provided them with the personnel they really need to move this aspect of their business forward.”

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Province spending $1.2M on building upgrades for 3 local organizations

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The provincial government has announced it is spending $1,223,500 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support some infrastructure work on buildings used by three local organizations.

The Coopérative Centre Francophone de Thunder Bay is receiving $928,155 to replace its roof, upgrade its multi-service room and expand its community hall by 500 square feet.

“While the roof represents the bulk of the work, these investments have also enabled us to carry out major renovations and improve our common areas,” explained the centre’s President, Claudette Gleeson.

“This project allows the centre francophone to continue and fulfill its mission of uniting, welcoming and promoting the French-speaking community in northwestern Ontario.”

The Vedic Cultural Centre is receiving $194,618 to upgrade its facility, including replacing the roof, installing a high-efficiency HVAC system and improving accessibility.

 The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society is receiving $100,727 to replace its two boilers.

The upgrade will ensure energy efficiency and proper heating and cooling of the building.

“Community enhancement projects and ensuring Ontarians can access welcoming spaces have become more important than ever as we face unprecedented economic uncertainty,” said the Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, George Pirie.

“Our government is helping important cultural and community spaces keep their doors open to ensure people get the support they need, and Thunder Bay remains a great place to live and visit.”