MPP Laura Smith joins MPP Aris Babikian at a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Marking the Completion of Community Gym Renovations Thanks to a $140,600 OTF Grant

SCARBOROUGH, ON – Scarborough-Agincourt MPP, Aris Babikian was joined Parliamentary Assistants to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Dave Smith and Laura Smith at the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the end of the renovations to the community gym facility at OneChurch.to. He was also joined by the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Onechurch.to, Robert Chung. The work was carried out thanks to OneChurch.to receiving a $140,600 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) last November. The work done to the gymnasium will benefit people of all ages who use the space.

“I am extremely proud and happy that this project has come to fruition. Onechurch.to provides important services to the people of Scarborough-Agincourt and is at the heart of our community. Our government, through OTF, is proud to invest in organizations like Onechurch.to, ensuring that the residents have access to important programs and services,” said MPP Aris Babikian. He also thanked both his colleagues for attending the event and making it special.

Funds from the OTF grant were used to install new flooring, purchase floor coverings to protect the new surface, new wall pads, as well as to paint and install a new deck ceiling to enhance the facility’s lifespan and safety levels. The grant was also used to purchase a new basketball net system.

“We are very excited to re-open our gymnasium at OneChurch.to which will serve as a functioning
space for our church family and neighbouring communities for sports, special gatherings and a vital
food bank which helps many community members,” said Robert Chung, Chairman of Board of Directors at Onechurch.to. “Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Provincial Government for the funding, and all those involved in the design and construction for the refurbishment of our gym.”

“I am pleased to congratulate OneChurch.to on receiving a $140,600 capital grant from the Ontario
Trillium Foundation,” said Laura Smith, MPP for Thornhill. “The impact on the community cannot be overstated, from operating a foodbank, to supporting families experiencing homelessness. I am looking forward to seeing the community come together in this revitalized gym.”

“Onechurch.to provides programs and services that reach all community members, improving lives and well being. This funding will help ensure the maintenance of the facility so that Onechurch.to can focus on what matters: continuing to deliver and expand fantastic programs to all community members,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha.

Onechurch.to was founded in 1957 as the Agincourt Pentecostal Church and has served five generations of Scarborough residents and community members through providing religious services as well as community programs for the benefit of Scarborough residents in need, irrespective of their faith.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.