Banook Awarded $2.3 Million for Renovations
Above: Honourable Darren Fisher, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, Banook Canoe Club Feb 28, 2025
We are thrilled to announce that the Banook Canoe Club has been awarded over $2.3 million in federal funding to support the next phase of our renovation project. This investment will enable us to make our historic building more accessible and energy efficient, ensuring that our facility is inclusive and sustainable for generations to come.
The funding, announced at the Banook Canoe Club by the Honourable Minister Darren Fisher and Deborah Windsor, President of the Banook Canoe Club Board of Directors, will be used to install an accessible lift, entranceways, ramps, and washrooms, as well as solar panels to reduce our carbon footprint. We will also be upgrading our HVAC and HRV system, replacing energy-efficient windows, doors, and lighting.
Above: A number of past Commodores and Presidents of the club were on hand to celebrate the occasion. From left to right Anne Forbes Ring, Jim Johnson, Debbie Windsor (current), Heather Corrigan, Kim Gaudet, and Geoff Bennett
The announcement was met with palpable excitement and gratitude, as Minister Fisher, Paddles Up committee members, Dartmouth councillors, volunteers, and past/present Board of Directors members in attendance shared in the joy of this momentous occasion. The room was filled with beaming smiles and heartfelt applause, reflecting the high spirits and sense of community that define the Banook Canoe Club. It was clear that this investment is not just a renovation project, but a celebration of our club's history, community, and commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.
These upgrades will not only reduce our energy consumption by an estimated 80.4% and greenhouse gas emissions by 46.5 tonnes annually, but also enable us to resume our Paddle All and Paracanoe programs. Our facility will be a comfortable, energy-efficient, and accessible space for year-round recreation and community activities.
"We are very excited about the federal support to make our building more accessible to the community and more energy efficient," said Deborah Windsor, President of the Banook Canoe Club Board of Directors. "This significant support for green and inclusive components is essential in helping us get to the finish line on our project."
Above: Club Manager, David Jarrett providing a tour and overview of the interior renovation, 2025-Feb-28
We would like to extend our gratitude to Minister Fisher and the federal government for their support of this project. We are proud to be a part of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which is supporting Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan.