What is this project about?
The Woodville/Eldon Community Centre Revitalization project is part of a municipal $1.5-million renovation to the ice surface, ice-making equipment, and dressing rooms. The Woodville Lions have committed to renovating the lobby, the community meeting room area, and make the facility completely accessible, including accessible washrooms, viewing area, and smooth flooring.
We have successfully secured some funding from the Enabling Accessibility Fund and the Kawartha Lakes C.H.E.S.T. Fund for this project.
The original rubber flooring in the lobby of this 40-year-old building is damaged. It does not allow good traction and therefore is not ideal for wheelchairs. This worn flooring needs to be resurfaced. We will be installing a commercial-grade porcelain tile flooring that is anti-slip, nonglare, firm, and flat with good transitions from one area to another. This replacement flooring was chosen, for its durability because power wheelchairs place excessive pressure on the flooring. It will be low maintenance and one of the best types of flooring for wheelchairs, rollators, and strollers. We need to remove the rubber from the main lobby and the vinyl tile from the community room along with the residual glue. The new porcelain tile will be installed, on the cement sub-floor throughout the lobby, washrooms, and the community meeting room. These upgrades will revitalize the facility and make it accessible for everyone.
Why is this project important to the community?
This project will be a major improvement to the accessibility and safety of persons with disabilities in our Community Centre. This facility is a social hub for the community with programs and services that need to be available to all. The community meeting room has many uses from family birthday parties to weekly seniors' luncheons; to serving as a polling station during elections. Dances and trade shows are held in the community centre during the summer when the ice is out. Many elderly grandparents enjoy attending the sports activities of their grandchildren. This project will allow them to view these events in the comfort of the heated lobby.
The Village of Woodville and the Township of Eldon are now part of the City of Kawartha Lakes. Hockey and Skating organizations from all over Ontario visit the arena during tournaments. The City of Kawartha Lakes statistics for ice-time rental indicates 3,685 hours over three seasons. This does not include summer dances, and trade shows, etc., or events held in the community room, and does not record the number of spectators, players, coaches, etc. involved in each hour of rental time.
Today, over 15% of Ontario’s population has a disability, including more than 40% of people over age 65. About 1.85 million people in Ontario have a disability. That is one in seven people. We understand that many of the people who are disabled are also living in poverty. It is, therefore, important that access to affordable activities at this social community hub be available to everyone.
