Funding for recent construction projects in Sarnia, Watford and Lambton Shores were part of a $6-million announcement Friday by federal officials.
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario highlighted funding for 26 projects in Windsor, Chatham-Kent and Lambton County designed to enhance public spaces and attract visitors.
They include $100,000 from the federal agency’s Tourism Relief Fund for Shale Ridge Estate Winery and Cidery near Thedford for its visitor center and patio.
There was also $748,873 for the Pathways Health Center for Children in Sarnia to refurbish pool change rooms to increase accessibility, and enhance heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical systems.
Warwick Township received $750,000 for barrier-free and gender inclusive washrooms at the East Lambton Community Center in Watford.
Alicia and Garren Hardman, owners of Shale Ridge Estate Winery, opened a more than $1-million production building, where they make hard cider and wine, a tasting room and patio at their farm on Widder Road during the pandemic.
Alicia Hardman said the final installation of the project’s $100,000 funding from the federal agency arrived last week.
“We’ve finished most of our patio now and it’s looking absolutely beautiful,” she said. “We’ve installed some shade sails in the summer time, which people love.”
They’ve added landscaping, lighting and rock features, and Garren created some “beautiful” picnic tables and “added a really neat photo feature for outside,” Hardman said.
“It’s like a large swing – we call it the best friend swing. Six people can actually sit on it and take a photo,” she said.
The patio was “packed all summer and fall,” Hardman said.
More landscaping is planned for the spring, she said.
“This time of year is a little quieter but we still have people coming all the time,” Hardman said. “On Saturdays and Sundays it’s still pretty well full inside.”
“We’re full steam ahead” and “not looking back,” she said.