Polish Beach Club Builds Eco-Friendly Pavilion for Safe Gathering
As Canadians continue to adapt to the realities of COVID-19, local governments and community partners across the country are adapting their spaces and services to keep residents safe and healthy, support economic recovery, create jobs, and build vibrant, resilient communities.
This past Saturday, October 8, 2022, MP Irek Kusmierczyk (Windsor-Tecumseh), the WindsorEssex Community Foundation and the Polish Homes Association gathered at the Polish Beach Club in Colchester to celebrate the construction of the Eco-Friendly Pavilion for safe gathering, on the final weekend of public beach access for the season. All summer long, residents of Windsor-Essex County who visited the Polish Beach were able to enjoy this safe and vibrant public space, while gathering with friends and family to enjoy homemade, authentic, and delicious food, live music and 300m of sand and water.
The Polish Beach Club is open to the public seasonally from April through October.
The Eco-Friendly Pavilion at the Polish Beach is supported by the Government of Canada through the second round of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, a $60-million dollar investment that is helping communities adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and creating safe ways for residents to enjoy the outdoors. Through this initiative, the Government of Canada, alongside Community Foundations of Canada, is building safer spaces and ensuring a higher quality of life for people across the country. There are over 1,000 projects taking place across Canada, including in every province and territory.
“The Polish Peoples’ Home Association is honoured to be a recipient of this prestigious grant. During two years of Covid-19 pandemic, we realized that mental health, social gathering, and nature are the key element of a healthy and thriving society. We are grateful to the federal government for recognizing the need and taking action.” said Margaret Holec, Past President of the PPHA.
“The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is supporting projects across the Windsor-Essex County that build more inclusive communities and ensure a higher level of life for Canadians. Investments like the Eco-Friendly Pavilion for Safe Gathering at the Polish Beach in Essex County are vital for strengthening communities and ensuring they are resilient today and for years to come.” Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for (Windsor-Tecumseh)
Quick facts
- The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative was created to help communities adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and create safe ways for residents to access services and enjoy the outdoors.
- The Initiative is designed to fund eligible projects between $5,000 and $250,000 that fall under three main themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and digital solutions.
- Community Foundations of Canada together with its partners, including the Canadian Urban Institute, is working with community foundations across the country to manage the funding process and serve the distinct needs of communities across Canada, including equity-seeking groups, interested in applying.
- Over 1,000 projects are taking place across the country as part of the Healthy Communities Initiative, including in every province and territory.
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation, originally founded in 1983 as Heritage Windsor, is a perpetual community trust for philanthropic purposes. It exists to manage donors’ legacy funds and make grants to support local community programs. Through grant making activities, the WECF is able to establish partnerships to assist a broad range of community organizations.
