Soo Mill donates $50,000 to downtown plaza project

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has received more than $700,000 in plaza donations to date

Soo Mill staff members present a large novelty cheque to Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano and Community Development and Enterprise Services CAO Tom Vair to signify Soo Mill's $50,000 donation to the downtown plaza project. Photo supplied

Soo Mill is donating $50,000 to the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s planned downtown plaza project in order to help fund play features for children.

The municipality launched a fundraising drive for the planned $8.45 million plaza earlier this month after the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation denied its pitch for $2 million in financial assistance, citing a duplication of existing amenities.

“Soo Mill and our employees are honoured to support such an important community project. Sponsoring the playground is for our children to enjoy for years,” said Soo Mill Joel Rowswell in a news release issued by the city Thursday. “This donation also provides another way for us to give back to the community that has helped our company succeed over the past century.”

The donation on behalf of Soo Mill follows a $200,000 donation from Williams and McDaniel Property Management announced by the city last week.

A total of $706,500 in funds has been raised for the downtown plaza to date, according to Tom Vair, deputy chief administrative officer for community development and enterprise services.

More information on how to donate to the downtown plaza project can be found on the City of Sault Ste. Marie website.

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