Dignitaries celebrate the receipt of funding to rehabilitate the Millbrook Dam last Friday. Pictured from left to right, back row Millbrook Councillor Ryan Huntley, ORCA Vice Chair Sherry Senis, MP Barry Devolin, MPP Laurie Scott, Councillor Tim Belch and Deputy Mayor John Fallis. Front row Councillor Jordan Landry and future PC candidate Jamie Schmale. Photo: Karen Graham
By: Karen Graham
On July 3rd, government dignitaries united at the site of the Millbrook Dam to share a major funding announcement that ensures this historic site will retain its pivotal place in the landscape of downtown Millbrook.The funding is split 3 ways, with Federal government and the province each contributing $1,119,363 and ORCA covering the remaining costs of the rehabilitation project currently estimated at $3.3 million.A significant portion ORCA’s share will be absorbed by the township. The funds will be used to remove and replace the outflow structure, to install impermeable barriers to prevent water seepage, to reinforce the earthen embankments and refurbish the pedestrian path and bridge over the dam and make it accessible to all. These improvements will help to protect and reinforce the 200-year-old dam structure, ensuring the safety and welfare of the local residents and safeguarding the commercial core. The federal portion of the grant comes from the Disaster Mitigation portion of the joint Federal and Ontario government’s Small Communities Fund which was established to fund critical infrastructure projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents across the province…
