Veteran fundraiser Joan Simon to lead $5M campaign for Brockville’s new Multi-Use Recreation Facility
The City of Brockville has tapped one of the community’s most accomplished fundraising leaders to spearhead a $5-million campaign supporting its future Multi-Use Recreation Facility.
In a release issued on Wednesday July 8, 2026, the city announced the hiring of Joan Simon as fundraising and sponsorship coordinator for the Multi-Use Recreation Facility (MURF) project, where she will lead efforts to raise $5 million over the next two years to help bring the highly-anticipated recreation complex to life.
According to city officials, Simon brings more than 35 years of fundraising and community leadership experience to the role as she’s been at the helm of some of the largest charitable campaigns in Brockville’s history.
Widely known throughout the local community, Simon began her career as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds & Grenville, a position she held for 17 years. During her tenure, she worked alongside volunteers to grow the organization and expand its reach, noted the release. Simultaneously, Simon also helped establish Brockville’s annual Ribfest event, which has become one of the city’s most popular fundraising events.
She then moved on to spend another 17 years as executive director of the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation, overseeing “some of the largest and most successful fundraising campaigns in the community’s history,” according to city officials.
Among those achievements was the successful $12.5-million campaign that brought an MRI machine to Brockville General Hospital. Simon also lead the historic Under One Roof Campaign, which raised $20 million to support construction of the Donald B. Green Tower at the hospital.
Now, she will apply that plethora of experience to one of Brockville’s most ambitious municipal projects in recent history.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support the Multi-Use Recreation Facility project,” Simon stated. “We live in a community that is very giving, and I look forward to working with residents, businesses, organizations, and community partners to help make this facility a reality for Brockville.”
The proposed MURF is expected to become a major community hub, providing more space for recreation, community programs, sports events and other opportunities for residents of all ages.
City officials stress that Simon’s proven fundraising record, expansive career connections and passion for the community makes her the best person to lead the ambitious campaign.