A few months ago we called on you and your communities to think differently when planning your next community project. We asked you which spaces you thought needed Rethinking, Rebuilding and Renewing in your area – and encouraged you to apply for funding through our Community Renewal Fund (CRF).

The response was phenomenal! From rooftop gardens to parks and sidewalks – we were thrilled to hear about the all green projects in the works across the province.

So we are pleased to announce the first 10 recipients that will receive funding to purchase products made with recycled Ontario tires through the CRF:

City of Vaughan – York Hill District Park – accessible playground rubber surfacing
Township of Greater Madawaska – surfacing for portable pickle ball court at Calabogie Outdoor Arena
Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes – Vicky’s Values warehouse flooring
Township of King – King Heritage and Cultural Museum recycled rubber parking lot
Riverdale Immigrant Women Enterprises – Sustainable rooftop garden & patio
Town of Erin – Lion’s Park playground rubber surfacing and mulch
Town of Richmond Hill – Pattern Park playground rubber surfacing
Norfolk County – Lakeview Park playground rubber surfacing
Township of McMurrich/Monteith – Recycled rubber sidewalks
Harbourfront Centre – Rubber surfacing around Natrel Rink (Demonstration Project)

Among the 10 projects, one organization that has seen significant benefit from the funding is Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre. This past December, 8,600 square feet (yes you read that right!) of rubber flooring made with recycled Ontario tires was installed in the areas surrounding the Centre’s Natrel Rink including the change rooms and throughout the restaurant.

Marah Braye, CEO at Harbourfront Centre weighs in:

“As a registered charity, outside funding like that offered by OTS’ Community Renewal Fund is very important to our organization. The fund enabled us to upgrade aging skate mats, which are vital to our winter operations. We’re thrilled to provide an eco-friendly space where our community members can experience first-hand the kind of innovative products that are made using recycled tires – something that was once considered waste.”

The project diverted 715 tires from sitting in a landfill. That’s a lot of tires!

The Community Renewal Fund encourages eco-friendly thinking and it also gives communities the chance to see the full life cycle of their tires – from old and balding rubber to something really special. It’s cool what can happen when you use your imagination.