Ontario Tire Stewardship announces second wave of 2015 grant recipients

Toronto, ON, June 1, 2016 – Community spaces across Ontario will have a chance to take one giant, green leap forward this summer. The Community Renewal Fund (CRF), offered by Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS), gives communities up to $50,000 toward building or renewing spaces using sustainable materials made with recycled Ontario tire rubber.

The CRF provides eligible Ontario-based communities and non-profit organizations up to $50,000 towards the purchase and installation of Ontario-manufactured recycled rubber products. Eligible Ontario-based communities can start applying for the first wave of funding for the CRF on May 9^th, with the application process running until July 31^st. A second wave of funding will be available for communities in the fall.

“The CRF challenges communities in Ontario to rethink the way they design their shared spaces and provides funding to encourage the use of sustainable materials within those projects,” says Andrew Horsman, executive director of OTS. “We are thrilled to lend a helping hand to these forward-thinking communities and would like to congratulate the second wave of our 2015 grant recipients – and encourage others to apply for funding in 2016.”

OTS is pleased to announce that four more communities will receive a green facelift this year through the 2015 CRF program as they Rethink, Rebuild and Renew their community spaces. This is in addition to the ten projects in nine communities announced earlier this year. Since the fund relaunched in 2015, more than $325,000 has been given to support sustainable projects across the province.

2015 CRF wave two recipients include:

• City of Toronto – École élémentaire La Mosaïque– playground surface beneath climbing wall
• Town of Essex (Harrow) – Harrow Fairgrounds Park– playground surfacing
• Aroland, ON – Johnny Therriault Public School– primary and junior playground resurfacing
• Township of Champlain – Sacha’s Park– playground surfacing
• The Nation Municipality (Limoges) – Accessible Toddler Park – playground surfacing
• Township of Southgate – Dundalk Community Centre & Arena – arena flooring

One notable project that received funding in 2015 was a playground design championed by the Chenier family of L’Orignal, in Champlain Township, Ontario. The Chenier’s were inspired to build a park in memory of their son, Sacha, who had severe disabilities and sadly passed away in 2014. The family was struck by how inaccessible most parks are, even parks that are billed as accessible or wheelchair friendly.

“Imagine a playground where no child has to sit on the sidelines and feel left out because of a disability. Sacha’s Park will make this dream a reality.” says Jason Chenier, Sacha’s father.  “We would like to thank OTS for providing funding that will help make this dream a reality.”

For more information about the OTS Community Renewal Fund, visit rethinktires.ca.

About the OTS Community Renewal Fund

The Community Renewal Fund is a funding program that is available to help Ontario community groups Rethink, Rebuild and Renew community spaces.

• Rethink the way they approach new projects and consider sustainable options.
• Support Ontario’s economy by choosing to Rebuild old or inefficiently used spaces using products made from locally produced recycled materials.
• Renew public areas so they reach their full potential and can be enjoyed by the entire community.

About Ontario Tire Stewardship

Established in 2009, Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) is an Industry Funding Organization (IFO) incorporated under Ontario’s Waste Diversion Act, to implement and operate the Used Tires Program.

At OTS, we are transforming the relationship Ontarians have with the lifecycle of their tires, through a comprehensive approach that takes into account our environment, our economy and our quality of life. Through the Used Tires program, 100 per cent of Ontario tires get efficiently and responsibly recycled into new products, leading to more livable communities and a growing green economy in this province.