The sun., 1919-10-28
ONTARIO TO BUILD
COMMUNITY HALLS
Athletic Fields Also Part of
Plan for Rural District
Development.

II is we'll recognized that social as
well as economic conditions have much
to do with community development and
well being. While in many rural sec
tions a very desirable condition socially
exists, there has been noted for some
time the need of proper meeting places
or of desirable centres for community
gatherings and for organzng copmun'y
effort.
Having these facts in mind the Legis-
lature of Ontario at its last session
passed an "Act respecting the establish
ment of community halls and athletic
fields in rural districts" This act
was introduced by the Provincial Min
lister of Agriculture and provides for
giving financial assistance to rural COM
munities for the purpose Of erecting
community halls, or for providing such
accommodation in consolidated schools.
In order to safeguard against the pos
sibility of these halls being unsuitable
for the purposes intended, the act pro-
Vdes regulations, one of which specifics
that the hall shall include an auditorium
or assembly room with movable seats
stage and other equipment; reading
ROOM including library and kitchenette.
The auditorium must have n level floor
and be suitable for recitals, dramatic
entertainments, and the discussion OF
public questions, it being intended that
such a building should be available for
all meetings and gatherings of a COM
munity nature in the broadest sense of
the meaning of these terms, and con-
sistent with the regulations made under
the act.
1t is also provided that each COM
inun!ty hall shall have in connection
with il at least three acres of land
adjoining the building or in close prox-
unity to it--this land to be used for
sports, picnics and outdoor gatherings.
The Ontario Department of Agricul-
ture undertakes TO offer assistance in
the erection of these halls by offering
prepared plans of buildings. and will
make a grant to the municipality de-
string to erect a community hall up to
25 per cent. of the cost of the building
the grant not to exceed the sum OF
$4,000. The cost of the building shall
be exclusive of the cost OF the land
for the hall and adjoining grounds
These halls are to be erected and super
viseG by board of mana agement in each
township or municipality
The plans when not supplied by the
department must he approved by 1t be
fore building commences. Authority is
given under the act for municipalities
throughout Ontario TO raise the neces-
sary money for building these halls by
the issue of debentures as provided by
the Ontario municipal act. The pro.
vincial regulations state that every hall
erected under the. act shall be avail
able for any public gathering of an ed.
ucational, fraternal, religious or social
nature, or for the discussion of any
public question, and no organization
shall be denied use OF the building for
, religious, fraternal or political reasons.
Subject to the regulations Of the board
as to hours and discipline, the -reading
room and library are to be open to all
/ This act is designed as a measure for
making rural life more attractive than
II has been hitherto, and To fill what
! has been a long felt> want among
( the residents of rural municipalities
throughout Ontario.