William Dale
Published online June 17, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
MRC PONTIAC – MRC Pontiac has approved more than $700,000 in funding for community, infrastructure and recreation projects across the region through the Quebec government’s Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR). Interest in the program once again exceeded available funding, with 20 applications seeking more than $850,000 through FRR 2, which supports infrastructure, accessibility and public service projects, and another 18 applications requesting more than $1.1 million through FRR 3, which funds community vitality and development initiatives.
“The selection process was particularly challenging this year due to the exceptional number of high-quality, well-structured proposals received,” said Sabrina Ayres, MRC Pontiac’s socio-economic development coordinator. Ayres said the FRR support committee finalized its recommendations in early May and that staff are working with unsuccessful applicants to identify alternative funding opportunities.
The largest grant, $250,000, was awarded to Les Maisons des Jeunes du Pontiac to support the demolition and reconstruction of a community centre in Rapides-des-Joachims. According to project coordinator Kelsey Daly Mainville, the existing building suffers from significant structural, electrical and accessibility deficiencies and had been deemed unsafe and slated for closure. The replacement facility will house youth programs, a food bank, seniors’ activities, tax clinics and public internet access.
“Without this funding opportunity, our community would have lost its only multi-service community hub,” said Daly Mainville. “For a small and remote community like ours, this project is about much more than a building because it is about preserving a safe gathering space.”
The Municipality of Fort-Coulonge received $99,214 to rebuild a community baseball field near the arena, with the municipality contributing an additional $25,000. Councillor Dave Herault said the project will help address growing demand for youth baseball in the area. With only one diamond currently available in Mansfield, organizers have faced scheduling
challenges and limited field time. Herault said the shortage has forced organizers to carry larger team rosters, sometimes with as many as 16 or 17 players on a team. Municipal officials are preparing cost estimates and a construction schedule, although Herault said the field is unlikely to be ready this summer.
“We are leaning towards trying to have an active community and trying to promote getting kids off screens and doing activities like sports,” said Herault.
Several other projects also received funding. The Coopérative de solidarité du Centre de loisirs des Draveurs received $83,317 to upgrade public washroom facilities, while Chutes Coulonge was awarded $30,831 for accessibility improvements and $3,811 to create a youth and community hub. Bouffe Pontiac received $11,746 to renovate its reception area and Connexions Resource Centre secured $9,450 to develop a more accessible version
of its Roadmap to Services platform. The Pontiac Agricultural Society received $32,992 to install a digital community sign, while Campbell’s Bay received $30,168 for improvements to Murale and Memorial parks. L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet received funding for both library accessibility upgrades and new furnishings, while Alleyn-et-Cawood secured support for upgrades to the Henry Heeney Memorial Park building and an expansion of the Danford Lake Community Centre. Additional grants were awarded to Clarendon’s soapbox derby and the Shawville District Minor Hockey Association. The projects range from accessibility improvements and community facilities to recreational infrastructure and communication tools.
“Thanks to the Regions and Rurality Fund, we are able to support promising local initiatives that promote the vitality of communities and contribute directly to improving the quality of life of our citizens,” said MRC Pontiac director general Kim Lesage. Warden Jane Toller added that the investments will support both economic development and community well-being throughout the region.
