McKellar Archives - Muskoka411

Dunchurch Resident Wins Lottery For The Third Time

Muskoka411 Staff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:13:01 +0000

Nigel A. of Dunchurch is $50,000 richer after winning a top prize with INSTANT CASH IN MULTI-WIN.

Nigel, a retired schoolteacher, is no stranger to winning big. The 63-year-old said he has won other times — once in 2014 and again in 2019 — making this his third major win!

He said he discovered his win while playing his ticket at his favourite store. “I had my ticket validated and pumped my fist in the air!” he shared while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his winnings.

When asked what it’s like to win the lottery for a third time, Nigel said, “It feels surreal. I’m living my dream.”

With his windfall, he plans to vacation in Honduras and purchase an ATV.

INSTANT CASH IN MULTI-WIN is available for $50 a play and the top prize is $50,000. Odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.18. Visit the INSTANT page on OLG.ca for more information on this and other great games.

The winning ticket was purchased at McKellar General Store on Centre Road in McKellar.

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Ontario Investing $361,460 To Support Recreation And Tourism In McKellar

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 14:12:15 +0000

Funding to develop municipal infrastructure to attract tourists and expand community programming

The Ontario government is investing $361,460 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to build a new baseball diamond and convert a church into a museum in the Township of McKellar. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding is building stronger, healthier and more self-reliant Northern communities by revitalizing local infrastructure, increasing local tourism and helping residents stay active and connected.

“Our government is making strategic investments to support small towns like McKellar, across Parry Sound–Muskoka and all of Northern Ontario,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound–Muskoka. “We’re investing $361,460 to build a new ball field and renovate a historic church into a museum, creating spaces for residents of all ages. We thank the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for supporting these projects through the Rural Enhancement Funding stream.”

The Township of McKellar is receiving $200,000 in NOHFC funding to complete site assessments, create a parking area and build a baseball diamond with fencing and bleachers. Once complete, the project will allow the township to restart its youth T-ball and baseball leagues along with the potential to develop tournaments and adult leagues.

The NOHFC is also providing $161,460 in funding to the Township of McKellar to convert St. Stephen’s Church into a museum and community gathering space. Once complete, the project will revitalize a currently unused heritage building, creating a vibrant new museum and community centre that supports local culture and heritage with programming such as book and poetry readings, art shows, lectures, story telling and music performances.

“Both projects being celebrated today are thanks to the hard work of volunteers, staff, council members past and present, and the support of MPP Graydon Smith and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation,” said David Moore, Mayor, Township of McKellar. “St. Stephen’s Church is one of the last historical buildings in McKellar Township, Broadbent area, and will now welcome new generations of guests as the doors open to a community hub and museum for all to enjoy. Residents across the West Parry Sound area will also now be able to enjoy playing on a brand-new ball diamond right in the heart of McKellar.”

“By supporting these projects that strengthen and protect community and culture, our government continues to step up to the plate,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “If a true home run is measured not in runs scored but in impacts made, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is hitting it out of the park with its funding for infrastructure projects and impact across the North.”

Announced in June 2025, the Ontario government is refocusing the NOHFC to prioritize investments that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of Northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness, securing new opportunities and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s recently announced investment of an additional $30 million over the next three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.

Quick Facts

Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across Northern Ontario.
Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $905 million in 7,309 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.8 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 11,210 jobs.

Additional Resources

The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.

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Projects In McKellar, Port McNicoll, Sundridge Receive Funding

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 18:22:34 +0000

It’s an early Christmas for Ontario communities throughout ‘Commonwell Country;’ (the smaller places and wide-open spaces of Eastern, Central and Western Ontario that The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group serves.

Now in its third year, the Commonwell’s L.E.A.F. (Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund) program was created with a passion to enable local programs and projects in Ontario that support learning on a local level.

L.E.A.F. Grants range between $10,000 and $50,000. For 2023, The Commonwell will invest $350,000.00 into exceptional, community-led initiatives that foster learning and build strong communities for future generations.

The initiative received 70 applications and saw 2.7 million in funding requested. Over half of the applications requested the grant maximum, with the average being $40,000, up by 22% over the last year. This demonstrates the value of supporting our community programs and that these initiatives are struggling more than ever.

“Beyond being a locally focussed insurer, The Commonwell is committed to investing in the growth and resiliency of small communities,” said Tim Shauf, President and CEO. “As a member-based mutual insurance company we have a proud heritage of giving back.”

The local insurer has announced 11 community projects that will be funded by their $350,000 annual Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund (L.E.A.F.)

Community Supported	Selected Project
Almonte	Ginawaydaganuc Academy Building Regenerative Futures
Brussels	Cranbrook Community Centre Revival
Lanark	Expanding and Enhancing Stem Education in Lanark Highlands Public Library
Lindsay	BGC Kawarthas “Let’s Get Physical” Space Renewal
McKellar	McKellar Public Library Revitalization
Pembroke	Tech Forward Learning
Picton	Youth Alumni Mentorship Program
Port McNicoll	Project Sseed Severn Sound Education and Engagement
Shannonville	Revitalizing Accessibility
Smiths Falls	Outfitting the Falls Food Hub Kitchen
Sundridge	The Sundridge Strong Public Library Technology and Makerspace Revitalization

“The communities applying for L.E.A.F 2023 funding have blown us away, pitching exceptional new ideas ranging from technology, STEM, and physical education projects to Food Hub Kitchen outfitting. We are delighted to support these meaningful projects, and we are already looking forward to enabling more great community projects in 2024.”

To learn more about the exceptional community projects being funded by the L.E.A.F. initiative and how Ontario communities can apply for the 2024 L.E.A.F. program visit thecommonwell.ca/leaf.

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