RONALD MCDONALD
HOUSE OF SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO CELEBRATES OFFICIAL OPENING OF
“BIGGER HOUSE”
May 28, 2011 -
LONDON, ON – Ronald McDonald
House of Southwestern Ontario hosted a Grand Opening event today
to officially celebrate the completion of renovation and
expansion work to their Baseline Road facility.
This expansion and renovation project
has enabled the not-for-profit organization to increase their
common areas, double the number of bedrooms from 17 - 34, add a
new kitchen, administrative offices, meeting and play areas, and
additional parking spaces to their current facility. A new
elevator was also installed to meet accessibility standards, and
renovation work focused on energy efficient solutions and
upgrades. The new facility will allow Ronald McDonald House of
Southwestern Ontario to meet the increase in demand for their
services and continue to fulfill their mandate into the future.
“For the past 26 years the Ronald
McDonald House of Southwestern Ontario has been there to support
families while their children receive medical care in London,
and in turn, the Government of Canada is proud to support the
House in expanding their facility and improving their services,”
said Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London-West, on behalf
of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities. “Featuring new rooms, additional
meeting and play areas and an elevator, this “Bigger House” will
enable the Ronald McDonald House to continue to fulfill its
mission of providing a safe and affordable home away from home
for so many deserving families.”
“Through our government’s Open
Ontario plan, we are providing communities and organizations
with the tools they need to offer quality services to Ontario
residents,” said Chris Bentley, MPP for London West and Attorney
General of Ontario. “This expansion project will allow more
families to experience the comfort and support of a home away
from home, when they are facing some of life’s most challenging
circumstances.”
“The project has been
years in the making and will finally provide enough space to
serve the families who need us. We are so thankful to all the
donors who helped us reach our 8.5 million dollar goal,” said
Margaret Anderson, Executive Director.
The governments of Canada and Ontario
each contributed $2.6 million toward this project through the
Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Ronald McDonald House of
Southwestern Ontario contributed the remaining funding. The
total eligible project cost was $7.8 million.
As part of the Government of Canada’s
Economic Action Plan, the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus
Fund is funding over 4,000 infrastructure projects across the
country.
The contribution from the Province of
Ontario comes from its 2009 provincial budget, which is
supporting more than 300,000 jobs and strengthening Ontario's
economy.
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For additional information about
investments in infrastructure, visit
www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For further information about
Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario
is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit
ontario.ca/infrastructure.
