Township grants $3,000 to women’s shelter for eavestroughs, downspouts

WELLINGTON NORTH – Ramoth Life Centre will soon have new eavestroughs thanks in part to a $3,000 grant from  Wellington North. 

The grant for the shelter for women and babies in Mount Forest is part of the townships’ Community Improvement Program (CIP), which supports individuals, businesses and organizations making improvements to their buildings and properties.

Ramoth Life Centre offers accommodation and 24-hour support to women who are pregnant or parenting a child under one year old. 

The eavestroughs and downspouts on its building at 119 Wellington St. W. are original to the building and have been in place since it was bought by the current owners in 1999, according to a township report about the grant. 

“Over the past two winters, both the eavestroughs and downspouts have sustained damage and now require replacement to ensure proper water drainage and to prevent potential roof leakage into the apartments,” the report states. 

The upgrades include removing and disposing of the existing eavetroughs and downspouts and supplying and installing downspouts, elbows and five-inch seamless eavestroughs with hand-mitered corners. 

The work is set to cost $5,947, and Ramoth Life Centre is eligible for a township grant for 50 per cent. 

Councillor Steve McCabe said he’s “fully in support” of the grant, as it will benefit “those that are most in need.” 

Councillor Sherry Burke noted the township has seen a significant uptake in CIP applications this year, and encouraged anyone interested in applying to do so “sooner than later.” 

The township budgeted $35,000 in its 2026 operating budget for CIP grants, and has approved $30,355 in grants thus far this year. 

Since the program launched in 2018, the township has approved funding for 184 applicants, providing about $476,000 in grants and loans supporting projects totalling over $4 million.