THUNDER BAY — Workers who have been laid off from their jobs are helping The Friends of Chippewa Park get the park ready for its 100th anniversary celebrations next year.
Funding from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is allowing TFOCP to hire eight people to work and receive job training at the park over the next year.
Project manager Iain Angus said six of the individuals are assigned to upgrade different elements of the park, including removal of the beach retaining wall, restoration of the exteriors of the log buildings, refinishing hardwood floors, planting trees and other assignments.
The other two participants will work with the 100th Anniversary Committee in planning the centennial celebrations.
The provincial funding for the project is through a training program that enables laid-off workers who are receiving employment insurance, or those whose insurance has already lapsed, to gain work experience while receiving EI benefits.
"Without this program we would have had to raise $550,000 in order to have all of this work done by contractors," Angus said.
All eight workers involved in the project applied to participate.
Angus noted that three of them were laid off from Bombardier.
Chippewa Park was opened on July 15, 1921 by the City of Fort William.
With the main activities at the park closed this year due to COVID-19, anniversary committee co-chairs Cathy Sawicki and Linda Lafontaine said next summer's event will be a "We are glad you are back" celebration.
Planned events include a five-day family festival centred around the Civic Holiday weekend, featuring a range of local talent.
