By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE—Empire Homes has provided an explosive start with a $600,000 donation to the community fundraising campaign behind the construction of a new library and activity living centre scheduled to be built at Grant Kett Park in Hagersville.
As previously reported, Council has already agreed to budget for the new facility in 2024, provided that Ward 4 Councillor Tony Dalimonte and his fundraising team generate $1 million in community fundraising prior to construction in order to demonstrate a significant public interest in the project.
“We’re just so grateful. This really does wonders for kicking off the fundraising campaign,” said Dalimonte, speaking after the cheque presentation last week. “It demonstrates to me clearly that they’re not only here to build houses. They’re making a significant investment in a recreational facility that they believe in and they believe in building up to maintain a community. This donation clearly demonstrates that.”
Empire Homes President of Low-rise Construction Mark Tutton touched on the hefty donation: “Blending in to and enhancing the larger community is something we strive for in every project we undertake. Supporting the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre project is one way we can contribute and fulfill this commitment.”
Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt offered gratitude for the donation as well: “We are extremely grateful for this generous contribution and investment in the vibrancy and quality of life in our county.”
According to Dalimonte, the donation is not the only recently announced project from Empire designed to benefit Hagersville, noting that Empire has committed to building the first public recreational trail in the town. It is to be housed within Phase Two of their Hagersville development, which consists of “somewhere in the neighbourhood of 500 houses,” said Dalimonte.
While Dalimonte says the overall concept presented to the community was received very well, there was a couple of good suggestions that came from the community which he would like to incorporate, listing an arts room in the library as well as a larger area for badminton and pickleball courts within the activity centre.
Dalimonte said discussions are happening with the County about what would be needed to push construction up from 2024 to 2023: “I’m heavily engaged in discussion with senior staff about starting this a year early…. I think it’s achievable, and this donation today helps with that greatly.”
Another significant part of the fundraising plan involves the sale of the Hagersville Community Centre. Dalimonte said there are two potential buyers already, before the building has been listed. While the Chamber of Commerce haven’t made a final decision yet on whether they are going to sell the building, which houses various local groups, Dalimonte said the issue will be discussed at an upcoming meeting, including an offer that would allow the groups currently using the space to remain there for another year or so.
Dalimonte briefly touched on the fact that the new facility would be built within the Haldimand Tract, a section of land with a construction moratorium placed on it by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chief’s Council, but did not elaborate on whether or not the construction moratorium had been taken into consideration.
“Any development we do in Haldimand County is circulated through the agreement we have with Six Nations and New Credit. I believe the land is within the Tract, but at this point in time I haven’t heard any opposition from either Six Nations or New Credit,” said Dalimonte. “I would add further that this type of facility will be there for residents of both of those communities…. We will serve our neighbours and let them know what we’re planning to incorporate into this building and we’re looking for feedback from them as well.”
