Ontario Upgrading Emily-Omemee Community Centre in Kawartha Lakes

Issued on behalf of Laurie Scott, MPP, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

Kawartha Lakes — The Ontario government is investing $1,000,000 to protect jobs and upgrade the Emily-Omemee Community Centre in the City of Kawartha Lakes. This investment is a part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), a province-wide initiative that helps communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario.

"The 1 million investment to modernize the Emily-Omemee Community Centre will be a great benefit to our community,” said MPP Laurie Scott. “Upgrades to improve accessibility and energy efficiency will help ensure this important recreational hub continues to serve families, athletes, and residents for years to come.”

As part of Ontario’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, the City of Kawartha Lakes will receive $1 million to renovate the Emily-Omemee Arena. The project will focus on improving accessibility, enhancing energy efficiency, and revitalizing the 1970s-era facility. Planned upgrades include modernizing the HVAC systems, installing LED lighting, and implementing a heat recovery system to improve sustainability and reduce operating costs.

“At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services for people while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “With investments in infrastructure like this, we are protecting Ontario jobs, strengthening our communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.”

CSRIF is a key part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers, businesses and families by unleashing the economy and getting more shovels in the ground, with a historic $200 billion investment to build highways, hospitals, transit, schools and other critical infrastructure across the province.

“With the help of the funding provided by the CSRIF grant, the Emily-Omemee arena will see a much-needed upgrade and a renewed lease on life,” said Mayor Doug Elmslie. “The space has been well used and well-loved for decades, and this funding will support recreational programs for many years to come. It’s a pleasure to work with the province, and our local MPP Laurie Scott, to deliver such good news.”

Quick Facts

• The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) is an application-based program providing a $200 million investment over two years. It supports municipalities, Indigenous communities, and non-profit organizations, through two streams: one for repairing and rehabilitating existing sport and recreation facilities and spaces, and another for building new or transformative sport and recreation infrastructure.

• Each year, Ontario invests $32 million in community recreation programs to help achieve active, healthy communities across the province, including Ontario’s After School Program, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program and the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund.

• Sport contributes more than $7.5 billion to Ontario’s economy every year, creating tens of thousands of meaningful and good-paying jobs in every corner of the province.

Additional Resources 

Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

2025 Ontario Budget - A Plan to Protect Ontario

Media Contact

Richard Ovcharovich, Legislative Assistant

Office of MPP Laurie Scott  

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

705-324-6654  

richard.ovcharovich@pc.ola.org
ontario.ca/newsroom

Photo Caption Left to Right: Director of Corporate Services, Sara Beukeboom, C. Warren, C. Richardson, MPP Scott, Mayor Elmslie, Natalie Pierre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Sport, Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Smith, C. McDonald

Photo Caption: Omemee Arena Ice Pad reconstruction