By: Michelle Poirier
ClearWater Farm in Willow Beach has received a $3.7 million grant from the federal and provincial governments to complete the building of their barn and other projects.
According to Annabel Slaight, Founding Chair of the Ontario Water Centre, the charitable organization behind ClearWater Farm, the construction work will take about a year to complete and will allow the spaces to be safe and accessible for those with disabilities.
“It’s allowing us to complete several things that the community has started, like the building of the barn, all of the infrastructure that’s required, including the water, sewage, electricity and gas, and additional things for the site that will make it safe and comfortable for visitors,” she said.
Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York-Simcoe, announced on April 29 that through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, ClearWater Farm was approved for renovations.
“When the century-old barn at ClearWater Farm burned down, it marked a sad time for our community. However, residents came together to help rebuild the barn and now this funding will help us complete it,” she said in a news release.
“I want to thank both the federal and provincial governments for their support and for coming together to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities when they are needed most.”
Of the $3.7 million grant, $1,999,998 was from federal funding, $1,666,499 was from provincial funding, and $1,333,499 is from recipient/other funding, according to the MPP’s news release.
“Further development of the site through this significant grant will help a community initiative with an already impressive track record become a Georgina centrepiece,” Mayor Margaret Quirk said.
While the farm has been closed to the public due to COVID-19, they have been busy with their crop growing and the start of five new Agripreneurs, Ms. Slaight said.
“On the May long weekend, we are opening our farm stand again; we are increasing the size of it and increasing the range of things that we will be selling here. People will be able to come on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings,” she said.
Once COVID-19 regulations allow more things to reopen, the farm will launch a self-guided tour, so visitors can see all the things happening there. It will also be announcing a couple of exciting online initiatives at the end of May.
“This support honours our community’s remarkable rally around an exciting idea — a farm that celebrates local food, connects young people with nature and honours our great Lake Simcoe,” Ms. Slaight said.
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