Great News! Gristmill lands Trillium grant
ByBrad Pritchard Alliston Herald April 17 2013
UTOPIA – A community’s longstanding dream of preserving an important part of their history is one big step closer to reality.
The Friends of the Utopia Gristmill and Park recently learned they will be receiving a grant to the tune of $96,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation towards the restoration costs of Bell’s Gristmill.
The grant will go a long way in helping the group, who for many years has been raising the funds needed to restore the historical building located at the 100-acre Utopia Conservation Area, which is expected to cost more than $300,000.
“We are very excited about this great, great news,” said longtime group member and Utopia resident Stephanie McCann.
The work on the gristmill, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2014, will focus on stabilizing its structure and exterior repairs.
Once the project is completed, the group plans to open up the mill to the public so it can be used as a community centre, with a focus on educational, cultural and recreational activities.
In addition to this good news, the group also recently learned it is receiving another grant on behalf of Tree Canada worth $1,500 for the planting of fruit trees at the Utopia Conservation Area.
They hope to start the planting Sunday, May 5
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