The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has certainly left its financial mark on the Town of Innisfil.
Since 2001, OLG has provided more than $105.78 million to the municipality for its role in hosting the facility now known as Gateway Casinos. That includes about $6.97 million during the last fiscal year.
“It’s a game changer for our community,” Mayor Lynn Dollin said during an appreciation breakfast at Gateway Monday morning. “We use the funding like you would a gift from your aunt for Christmas. You don’t spend it on groceries or rent — you buy something special with it. We use it for things we couldn’t afford to put on the taxpayer. To say we are grateful would be an understatement.”
OLG senior municipal relations manager Kathleen Devine says this is part of the corporation's plan to better Ontario.
"One hundred per cent of our ... profits are reinvested back into the province," she said. "We take pride in the communities in which we are based. We are so proud of the role we play in this town."
But where does the money go? Here’s a look at how some of the funding has been spent recently:
- Innisfil Community Foundation — The organization handed out 17 grants in 2023 worth a total of $180,590, to organizations ranging from Christmas for Kids (C4Kids), the Cookstown Curling Club and South Simcoe Theatre to Hospice Simcoe, Season’s Centre for Grieving Children and the Canadian Mental Health Association and South Simcoe Police Service’s Crisis Outreach and Support Team.
- Innisfil Town Square — About 30 per cent of the cost was covered by OLG revenue, with the rest coming from development charges. Built beside the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library, the site features a splash pad, skating trail, playground, fire pit, a stage and market space.
- Emberton Way skate park — Located in the Sleeping Lion development in Alcona, this concrete skate park opened in September 2023 and is suitable for all ages. The park is open from dawn to dusk.
- Trails in Centennial Park — Work included a walking trail around the existing pond, including benches and a new bridge structure. Centennial is located on the 7th Line and it also includes a covered pavilion, playground and dog park.
Foundation board of directors chair Sandra Rizzardo says OLG’s support is making a “big difference” in the lives of residents. Money has helped purchase warm winter clothing for children, aided women and kids fleeing domestic violence and supported cancer patients.
“Parents in our community can’t afford to buy their children warm clothes; some of those children are going to school hungry,” she said. “Young people have trouble accessing mental-health services. We know this because we work closely with local charities. Those charities have warned us of the rising cost of living and increase in mental-health struggles. More people in Innisfil will need help in the months and years to come. This is why continued support is so vital.”
More details on the foundation are available at innisfilcommunityfoundation.ca.
