The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto will expand its usuable space, creating a new basement dance studio and recreation rooms with federal and provincial grants.

Renovation work at the Scarborough landmark will likely start this spring, Angela Chan, vice president of the Chinese Cultural Centre Foundation said on Tuesday.

Additional recreation space is much needed in the area, she added.

Pickering-Scarborough East MP Corneliu Chisu appeared at the Sheppard Avenue East centre Saturday to officially announce $53,550 from the federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund to fund the work.

“By improving facilities such as this one, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for residents of all ages,” Chisu said in a release.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation has committed a further $51,600 to the project.