Why the city plans to sell Wellington Park land cheap to support Edmonton's Africa Centre
Edmonton's executive committee last week endorsed a project by the African Multicultural Community Centre (AMCC). Members voted 5‑0 to recommend negotiating a $1 land sale for a 1.2‑hectare portion of Wellington Park, with a five‑year buy‑back clause.
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The five in favour at the Wednesday meeting were Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Coun. Karen Principe, Coun. Aaron Paquette, Coun. Keren Tang and Coun. Tim Cartmell.
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In December 2024, council directed administration to report on the possibility of selling city land for the project.
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The centre delivers a range of programs from cultural preservation and youth development to social supports and economic integration, reaching more than 20,000 people each year. The relationship between the city and Africa Centre formally began in 2007 when the centre entered into a lease agreement for the former Wellington Junior High School at 13160 127 St. The school was condemned in 2017 and city staff assisted with the relocation of Africa Centre to St. Francis Centre where, up until the fall of 2022, the group operated some programs and centralized its administrative staff and functions. In 2022, the centralized administrative office for Africa Centre moved to the Circle Square Professional Building at 11808 St. Albert Tr.
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Samuel Juru, executive director of the Africa Centre, said support from the city has allowed the group to 'provide services and programs for the community.'
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Edna Wakene, board chair of the Africa Centre, said more than 60 representatives from African and Caribbean community associations attended a town hall meeting in 2024 and shared in the call for a cultural centre.
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'The refresh of the centre's engagement strategy and business case has been an extensive and collaborative undertaking spanning over two years,' she told city council on Wednesday. 'We held six town halls to accommodate different demographics, including language, age and geographical locations. There was clear community consensus for the AMCC to be a centre for implementing a range of programs and services.'
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