King Township’s Schomberg Community Hall receives $100K to bolster accessibility

The century-old facility is currently closed and will reopen in mid-May 2020

Yorkregion.com
August 14, 2019
Sheila Wang

King Township gets a boost from the federal government to shore up its century-old Schomberg Community Hall.

The two-storey facility, which is currently closed for renovation, has received a $100,000 grant through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) from the federal government.

“I’m just so thrilled that I’m able to have brought it forward for this project because our $100,000 really helps kick-start and make it happen,” said Deb Schulte, MP for King-Vaughan riding.

Schulte announced the funding Aug. 6 at the Schomberg Community Hall on behalf of Carla Qualtrough, minister of public services and procurement and accessibility.

She said the financial support will be used for improving accessibility for residents with disabilities including the installation of an elevator, a ramp and an automatic door.

It’s part of a one-million-dollar project undertaken by the township for the purpose of revitalizing the historic building which has been in need of repair.

"The grant allows us to continue to build an inclusive community, one where all residents of King can have equal access to our facilities, programs and services," said Jason Ballantyne, King's spokesperson.

Initially built in 1907 as a community building and a market place, the Schomberg Community Hall was last renovated in the 1970s, Schulte said.

The second floor, which was put on in 1922 to meet the growing community demand at that time, has become inaccessible after years of wear and tear.

However, the community hall has never lost its unique appeal to Schomberg residents as its usage has increased over the period of 2014-2018.

“It’s very heavily used as a community resort,” Schulte said, noting the building has been serving the community as a hub where a great number of community activities have taken place.

The community hall is expected to reopen its door to the public in mid-May 2020 with a new elevator, which will help people with disabilities move up and down inside the building.

“As our demographic is aging, accessibility and mobility have become more and more important,” Schulte said.

Residents who are 65 and older make up for more than 15 per cent of the township’s overall population, according to the 2016 census data.

“Through this funding and through partnerships with organizations like the Schomberg Community Hall, we are building a more inclusive and accessible Canada,” Qualtrough said.

Since 2015, the government of Canada has supported over 2,000 accessibility projects through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, according to a press release.