The Town of Niverville is $150, 000 richer thanks to the provincial government.

The grant arrives through the Building Sustainable Communities program and will facilitate three specific town projects.

“One is for a pavilion, here at the Heritage Centre,” says MLS Minister Ron Schuler on-site at the announcement. “It’s going to incorporate wood from the original grain elevator, the first in western Canada.”

The pieces of wood were saved by a member of the community who decided to donate them towards the cultural initiative spearheaded by Communities in Bloom.

“To date, they’ve raised $50,000,” says Mayor Myron Dyck about the charitable organization, “and with the funding announcement today of just over $40,000, that project will be able to begin construction.”

Board Member for Communities in Bloom Shirley Hoult says the committee tried anything they could think of to raise the money listing bingos, garden shows, 50/50 raffles, the garden tour, and last year’s car show.

Hoult adds that the structure will also have four glass-stained windows, created by local artists, which will represent the early pioneers and the importance of faith and agriculture.

“The second is $75,000 for pipe replacements in our Centennial Arena,” shares Dyck, “their economic life was over, let’s just put it that way.”

Schuler says the arena was built in 1967 and has hopes the new pipes can, perhaps, give the structure another 50 years of viability.

Lastly, the Town will receive $35,000 for enhancements around the splash pad at Hespeler Park. “This will be for shade features,” says Dyck describing the features as picnic shelters with roofs and even adding some more trees.

“If you’re bringing the stroller or wagon, and you’re bringing the kids, then you’re kind of set up for the day,” says the Mayor regarding the future park features, “and can have some shade from those nice warm days when we get our splash pad going again.”