Four electric vehicle charging stations will be installed at the Beeton facility, costing about $64,000, with half of that being reimbursed once the project wraps up.
Even with a budget exceeding $350 million, the County of Simcoe is looking for ways to maximize its investment in the Simcoe Village Campus located in Beeton.
During today’s committee meeting, county council approved a funding agreement with the Ontario Centre for Innovation (OCI) as part of the Charge ON program. This funding will help cover the cost of four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the village campus, which totals around $64,000. Half of this amount will be refunded after completion of the project.
The Charge ON program is a provincial initiative that promotes public EV charging infrastructure throughout Ontario to aid in transitioning to low-carbon transportation options like hybrid and fully electric vehicles. It’s managed by the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
County officials state that this program helps fill an important gap in rural areas where EV charging options are scarce and provides both residents and visitors with 24/7 access to dependable charging facilities.
In a report by Angela Leaitch, sustainable operations program supervisor for the county, it’s highlighted that the council-approved Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCAP) supports moving towards low-carbon transportation and includes enhancing EV charging infrastructure across the county as one of its main objectives.
Leaitch mentioned that staff have successfully secured funding for various EV charger initiatives over recent years and applied for Charge ON support to extend charging infrastructure at multiple county facilities.
“This project reflects the county’s strategic commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation and community well-being,” Leaitch wrote.
“By investing in EV infrastructure at a community housing site, the county is reducing polluting greenhouse gas emissions, promoting equitable access to clean transportation, and demonstrating leadership in sustainable development,” she added.
In late July, news came that their application for funding regarding chargers at Simcoe Village Campus had been approved.
This marks another significant update on what was once known as Simcoe Manor-a key long-term care and senior services facility run by the county.
Built back in 1898, plans were set in motion by the county to redevelop Simcoe Manor and Village in 2020 when they also acquired an adjacent 20.6-acre property next door.
In June 2021, council decided to move forward with these redevelopment plans.
The construction is currently underway and aims to add 34 long-term care beds (bringing it up to a total of 160 beds) along with more than 180 housing units (with over 140 being newly constructed) designed for seniors who need varying levels of care and support.
The literature from the county indicates that once completed, Simcoe Village campus will feature a sprawling 520,000-square-foot facility packed with amenities such as health/medical services, pharmacy services, dental care options, coffee bar and bistro spots, retail shops, salon services, fitness amenities along with outdoor recreation opportunities among other programs available for residents and older adults living independently within the community.
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