KINGSTON — Today the City of Kingston along with their project partners officially broke ground on the redevelopment of Breakwater Park, a part of the Kingston Waterfront Master Plan.
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation generously provided a $500,000 donation to Swim Drink Fish Canada to support renovations, that will include: a new park promenade, a pedestrian bridge, pier upgrades, steps and seating, shoreline works – including water access – landscaping and tree planting.
With another $1 million in financial support from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, work on the project is beginning a year earlier than projected.
A key feature of the new Breakwater Park will be Lake Ontario’s only deep-water swimming pier. The pier will be named the “Gord Edgar Downie Pier” in honour of the musician, Kingston native, Swim Drink Fish Canada board member, and long-time champion for a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Ontario. A naming ceremony will be held later this year.
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“Breakwater Park represents the future of the Great Lakes. Sewage and industrial pollution should be things of the past. The Breakwater Park project shows how government, residents, charities, and businesses can come together and find creative ways to reconnect people to the water. Together, we will inspire a new generation of residents and visitors to know and care for their piece of Lake Ontario.”
– Mark Mattson, President & Waterkeeper, Swim Drink Fish Canada
“The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is proud to support projects that will improve the health and accessibility of the Great Lakes. Our Committee Chair, Mrs. Hilary Weston, is passionate and committed to supporting this cause. The City of Kingston’s Breakwater Park restoration project is a wonderful example of how community leadership and planning can lead to a vibrant urban waterfront.”
– Geordie Dalglish of the W. Garfield Weston Foundation
Media Contact:
Rebecca Harrison
905-999-5479
rebecca@waterkeeper.ca
