Wellington North approves $7,500 in CIP grants
KENILWORTH – The Township of Wellington North will help pay for new windows at Village Variety in Arthur and new floors at Sacred Heart Church in Kenilworth.
Council approved the community improvement program grants, totalling $7,500, during a meeting on Jan. 26.
The program provides municipal grants to support revitalization and redevelopment in the township.
Since it launched in 2011, 181 grants and loans have been approved, totalling over $500,000.
For 2026, $35,000 has been earmarked for the program.
Councillor Sherry Burke stressed the value of the community improvement program, stating, “It looks like 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year, as we’ve handed out over $11,500 in funding for improvements” thus far.
New floors
Sacred Heart Church, at 9141 Highway 6 in Kenilworth, was built in 1903 by ancestors of current members of the church’s congregation, according to a report from Wellington North economic development officer Robyn Mulder.
“The basement of the church has been a focal point for many community activities over the years, including municipal elections, social get-togethers, funeral lunches, family reunions and church activities,” the report states.
“Within the last 10 years, work has been done to make the church and basement wheelchair accessible with ramps, lifts and washrooms.”
The floor replacement includes removing the existing wood floor and two-by-four strapping, repairing existing concrete and installing new flooring.
“Rough-in stat wire and three inches of concrete will be poured over the existing concrete floor,” the report adds.
The project is expected to cost about $36,500, with the township grant covering $5,000. The grant falls under the building conversion and improvement category of the community improvement program, which covers 50 per cent of project costs up to $5,000.
New windows
Village Variety is located at 124 George St. in Arthur and has been managed by Kaifan and Xiaohuake Huang for 15 years.
The upstairs windows set to be replaced are more than 30 years old and provide limited insulation from winter cold and summer heat, according to the staff report. The updates will include removing and disposing nine old window units and installing new vinyl windows inside the nine existing frames.
The exterior of the window frames will be capped with white aluminum and caulked to the brick. The work is expected to cost $12,400, with the township covering $2,500.
The funding falls under the façade improvement category of the community improvement program, which covers 50% of project costs up to $2,500.
