Two Trillium grants were celebrated on Sunday by the Friends of Wesleyville Village. Front row left - Bree Nixon, FOWV treasurer; Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky; Chief Taynar Simpson, Alderville First Nation, David Piccini MPP Northumberland Peterborough South and Elaine Sheppard, Ontario Trillium Foundation volunteer. In the back row on the accessibility ramp funded by one of the Trillium grants are happy FOWV directors Sue Stickley (secretary), Kathryn McHolm (past chair), Robert Sculthorpe, Scott Meldrum, Kathy Dennis (chairperson) and Beverley Caswell.
MPP David Piccini, attending their Country Market and Nature Fest, commended their efforts in restoring the historic village.
Two grants, totaling $143,100, were awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The first, a $97,200 Capital grant, helped restore the Wesleyville church after a fire in 2021. This grant facilitated the installation of an access ramp, sidewalk, and entrance doors, making the church accessible to all.
The second grant, a $45,900 Resilient Communities Fund grant, supports organizational resilience and sustainability. It enables the preservation of four historic buildings and the natural environment in Wesleyville Village.
“The Ontario Government is committed to supporting culturally significant sites to be accessible for everyone in the community,” said MPP David Piccini. “This funding from OTF will support the Friends of Wesleyville Village in their efforts to restore the Village and its landmarks to make it a key fixture in the Town of Port Hope”.
Kathy Dennis, Chairperson of the Friends of Wesleyville Village, said “These Ontario Trillium Foundation grants help the Friends of Wesleyville Village achieve our mission to conserve this heritage property for community uses.”
If you’re looking to visit the Friends of Wesleyville Village this summer, they’re located at 2082 Lakeshore Road – just 10 kilometres west of downtown Port Hope, Ontario.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
