Carleton Place Canoe Club receives $293K provincial grant to grow adult paddling programs
The Carleton Place Canoe Club is set to expand opportunities for adults to get more comfortable and skilled out on the water after receiving a $293,200 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to grow its recreational paddling programs.
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Member of Parliament (MPP) John Jordan stopped by the Carleton Place Canoe Club (CPCC) to celebrate the impact of a $293,200 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant, now in its second year.
According to Program Manager Ellie Lanouette, the three-year provincial investment is supporting the expansion of the club’s adult recreational programming, including dragon boat and recreational paddling. Specifically, the funding will go towards staffing increases, equipment upgrades, and growing community outreach.
Established in 1893, the CPCC is Canada’s oldest continually operating canoe club. In addition to competitive sprint canoe and kayak racing, the club offers dragon boat programs, recreational paddling, introductory courses and summer camps.
The event also featured the club’s Annual Pep Rally, an opportunity to recognize athlete achievements from the season so far. Attending this year was Isabel Lowry and Abbigail Haines, who both earned gold medals representing Team Canada in early July, as previously reported.
“I think the athletic achievements of our hometown paddlers says everything that needs to be said about the value of the Carleton Place Canoe Club as a community asset,” MPP Jordan said. I’m proud of the ongoing provincial funding support that helps maintain this venue as an active, welcoming space for community members of all ages and abilities.”
The adult paddling programs expansion is designed to encourage more adults to take part in paddling while strengthening community connections across Carleton Place and the surrounding area.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this investment in our community,” said Patrick Lester, the club’s head coach and technical director. “This funding will allow us to expand access to paddling programs for adults of all experience levels, increase participation, and create even more opportunities for people to connect through sport and recreation.”
According to Lanouette, the CPCC also saw the event as the perfect opportunity to send off their athletes to their respective approaching Provincial, National & Olympic Hopes competitions.