The Province has turned down the City of Elliot Lake.

Council was unpleasantly surprised when they found out it had been denied the funding of the Community Recreation Hub.

Despite a lobbyist and a presentation to the province, City CAO Daniel Gagnon says he received a letter on Friday informing them the province would not move ahead with funding and cost-sharing the project with the feds.

At last night’s meeting, councillors made it quite clear they want answers from the province as to why the city was turned down and what they need to do to receive approval.

The Arts and Culture Hub, however, has received some good news.

It has been approved for 85% of the funding of a feasibility study that is currently underway.

It is taking input from the tenants and stakeholders as well as a site tour planned for next month.

The new hub is to replace the demolished Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre, which suffered a catastrophic collapse of the roof in February of 2019.