Latest news with #AfricanMulticulturalCommunityCentre
Edmonton Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Wednesday's letters: Wrong to sell parkland to community group
Article content Re. 'Selling Wellington Park land cheaply for an African centre raises questions,' May 20 I read today that council's executive committee has unanimously recommended the sale of a portion of Wellington Park to the African Multicultural Community Centre for the token price of $1. This decision clearly needs a complete rethink. On many levels, this decision is simply wrong. Firstly, the City of Edmonton should not be getting involved in any one minority group's desire to establish a centre for the use of their own members. This is a private group's desire and is serving that single group and, as such, should not be supported by public funds.
Ottawa Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
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. Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content In December 2024, council directed administration to report on the possibility of selling city land for the project. Article content Article content For the past two decades, the City of Edmonton has collaborated with the Africa Centre to support programming for African and Caribbean communities. Article content 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. Article content Article content 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.' Article content Article content 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. Article content '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.'
Calgary Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
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. Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content In December 2024, council directed administration to report on the possibility of selling city land for the project. Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 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.' Article content Article content 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. Article content '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.'
