Ontario helping Belleville build critical infrastructure to support new homes

25 January 2025

City to receive $1.25 million toward old fairgrounds site redevelopment

BELLEVILLE – The Ontario government is investing $1,250,000 in critical infrastructure that will support the construction of 300 new homes in the City of Belleville, Tyler Allsopp, MPP for Bay of Quinte announced today.  The funding is being delivered through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which includes $400 million to help build, repair and maintain municipal roads bridges, and culverts that will promote housing growth in communities across Ontario.

The City will use the funding to unlock redevelopment on the former Quinte Exhibition fairgrounds property in its west end, close to a proposed new YMCA Centre for Life and existing schools, retail businesses, and community services.

“Belleville’s plan to redevelop the fairgrounds opens opportunities for an exciting mix of residential construction in a desirable area,” said Allsopp.  “Through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream, our government is showing it supports this innovative effort to create needed housing stock in Bay of Quinte.”

Mayor Neil Ellis appreciated the funding allocation.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news,” said Ellis. “We are facing a crisis in our community and housing plays a major role in the solution. This project will see the construction of a new road off Bridge Street West and Dunnett boulevard, extending the intersection into the former fairgrounds property and allowing for the development of up to 300 medium- and high-density units on the site. On behalf of the City and council, I would like to thank MPP Allsopp and the provincial government for their support as we strive to continue building the housing stock in Belleville.”

Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, explained the investments will assist municipalities like Belleville to manage the growth they are seeing.

“To keep pace with growing communities across our province, our government is helping municipalities build more homes faster than ever before,” said Surma. “Families and residents need safe and reliable roads and bridges to access these homes and travel safely to and from their destinations. That’s why we are making targeted, local investments through the Housing-Enabling Core Services Stream to support the construction of municipal roads, bridges, and culverts that keep residents safe and foster stronger, more connected communities across Ontario.”

Earlier this week, at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference, Surma announced the government will also invest $175 million to launch the new Health and Safety Water Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. The new stream will support projects that protect homes and create resilient communities by building, rehabilitation and expanding aging water, wastewater, and stormwater systems and flood and erosion prevention infrastructure.

“I’m delighted to see this new stream providing yet another tool to assist municipalities as they grow,” said Allsopp. “The application portal is expected to open next month, and I encourage our Bay of Quinte municipalities to submit priority projects for consideration.”

Through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program and the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, Ontario is providing nearly $2 billion to support housing- and community-enabling infrastructure and build more homes across the province.

QUICK FACTS

  • Last year, Ontario provided Belleville with $1.24 million through the Building Faster Fund for exceeding its 2023 housing targets by breaking ground on 644 housing starts. The City used the funding to support the construction of a new wastewater pumping station and force man in West Belleville. It will initially service 1,800 units and be expandable to 9,000 units.
  • Recent Ontario investments in Belleville, including a new Easthill Elementary School, a redeveloped St. Joseph Catholic School, and a joint investment in hybrid transit vehicles and new active transportation trails were influenced by projected growth.
  • Details on the new Health and Safety Water Stream and eligibility are available at www.ontario.ca/housinginfrasture.
  • The government is delivering the most ambitious capital plan in Ontario’s history, with targeted investments totalling more than $191 billion over the next decade to build critical infrastructure and lay a strong foundation for future generations.

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