Shawn McClumpha, the centre’s president, said there are not too many people in the community who can say they haven’t passed through the centre’s doors for one reason or another.
“We host numerous weddings, birthdays and anniversary celebrations. We have weekly bingo (and) host the Girl Guides. We host pretty well every community event,” he said.
The centre received $40,625 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and $10,000 from the province.
McClumpha said the money will used to update the centre’s heating and air conditioning systems, audio and visual equipment, tables and chairs and help pay for a new roof.
In total, community projects in Eastern P.E.I. received more than $680,000 in federal and provincial funding to improve safety and accessibility at places where people meet and gather.
ACOA is funding $622,067, while the provincial government is contributing $61,000.
The funding was announced by Lawrence MacAulay, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, in Fortune.
“It’s basically an upgrade to existing facilities to make sure they’re up to scratch,” said MacAulay.
The other projects include upgrades and improved accessibility at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 3 in Souris ($250,050), upgrades and renovations to the Morell Community Rink ($250,050) and upgrades to the St. Peters Area Rink and Recreation Club ($7,820).
Also receiving funding for renovations and upgrades is the Friends of the Shipwreck Point Lighthouse Inc. ($28,540) and the St. Peters’ Destination Centre ($45,342).
The province contributed $61,000 in total for projects, including $31,000 to the Friends of Shipwreck Point Lighthouse for upgrades at the interpretative centre in Naufrage, Besides funding for the Fortune Community Centre, the Souris Legion also received $20,000 from the province.
