It is hoped a funding ceremony Friday in Port Stanley will substantially reduce the flood risk for homeowners, businesses and community assets.
In the Main Beach parking lot, MPP Rob Flack and Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan announced that the Port Stanley Flood Mitigation initiative is the recipient of almost $20 million in funding from three levels of government.
The initiative is a series of projects that are designed to improve stormwater infrastructure, and increase the community’s resilience to current and future large-scale storm events powered by climate change, noted Mayor Sloan.
The first phase of work is underway and will address stormwater capacity challenges. Sloan stressed Port Stanley is now a year-round community and not just a summer destination.
The second phase of the project will begin in the fall and additional work will include an assessment to evaluate options for extending the existing breakwater.
MP Flack observed that the work “helps ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support growth and serve residents for years to come.”
The funding breakdown is as follows:
- $6.8 million from the federal government through its Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund
- $9.3 million from the province from the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Health and Safety Water Stream
- $3.5 million from the Municipality of Central Elgin
Written by Ian McCallum
