Recent donations have pushed fundraising for the new Cainsville Community Center over its $1.5-million campaign goal.
A $30,000 donation from the Underwood family, $15,000 from Enterprise Brant and several other donations brings total contributions to more than $1.6 million.
“The Underwood family are longtime county citizens, business owners and community builders,” said County of Brant Mayor David Bailey.
In recognition of their gift, the Underwood family will have a donor wall named in their honour. Enterprise Brant will be recognized with a coat room named in their honour.
“The Underwood family clan have been members of the County of Brant for over 50 years,” said Ron Underwood. “This community supported our children and grandchildren in several sports, Brownies, Girl Guides and a number of other community activities. We believe in supporting the facilities that have supported us, as a family, and the other families in this community.”
The Underwood family owns Advantage Maintenance Products in Paris, which recently celebrated its 100th year in business. It is currently owned and operated by Ron’s son John Underwood.
“The county needed a community center on the east side of Brant,” said Ron. “It will be a place where we will take our family members to celebrate birthday parties and partake in numerous other community events.”
Sara McLellan, general manager of Enterprise Brant, said the state-of-the-art facility will provide new services and activities “to an area of the county that will benefit and thrive with additional programming.”
Enterprise Brant is a federally-funded, not-for-profit organization that supports local economic development and small business growth through business loans.
The Cainsville Community Centre, located at 15 Ewart Ave., is about 9,200 square feet and includes a transformable community hall, meeting room, lobby and outdoor covered patio.