Latest news with #communitycentre
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New SEND school plan for Market Harborough building
A new school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could be created in Market Aurora Group has submitted a planning application to Harborough District Council to convert the Roman Way Community Centre into a SEND to planning documents the proposed school would accommodate 88 pupils aged between five and 19 and employ about 64 members of move comes after mobility scooter service charity Shopmobility, which previously worked out of the community centre, closed in February after the premises was put up for sale by Leicestershire County Council. The group has stated the centre would provide "much-needed" school places for children and young people with special educational needs and proposed school would consist of 11 classrooms, a multi-use games area and an outdoor play area.A planning statement adds: "There is a clear evidenced demand for this type of school in the local area and the proposals make use of a vacant site which no longer supports the community."The Aurora Group operates 19 schools and supports more than 1,200 children, young people and adults across England.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Out with the old, in with the Mews: New community centre will open in September
It was delayed by labour shortages, supply chain issues and HVAC problems, but the City of St. John's promises the new H.G.R. Mews Community Centre will open in a few months. The facility was initially slated to open in the fall of 2023 but the opening date was pushed back several times. Earlier this week the city announced it would open to the public in September. "It's absolutely happening this time, 100 per cent," councillor Greg Noseworthy told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. Noseworthy has been posting regular updates on the facility to social media, but says the biggest factor in delaying the opening was the COVID-19 pandemic, when steel and skilled labour were scarce. Then, over a year ago, staff caught an issue with the new building's heating and cooling equipment. "Thankfully that's resolved and we're gearing up, we're ready to go," said Noseworthy. Those delays didn't have an effect on the project's budget, according to the councillor. He says it's "not a dime" over the approximately $33 million set aside for the replacement of the old Mews Centre, constructed in 1970. The money went into building a 25-metre pool with a viewing area, an indoor walking track that overlooks the gymnasium and other multi-use spaces. The city also made an effort to make the community centre as accessible as possible, Noseworthy says. "Everything is there to make sure that this is for everybody in the community" he said. "No one gets left behind." According to the city's website, a courtesy wheelchair and a water wheelchair are available, and all entrances are accessible with various mobility aids. Other features include child and adult-size change tables, an assistive listening device and large print signage with braille. The original H.G.R. Mews Community Centre will remain open for regular summer programming, even though Noseworthy says it "needs some love." Before the building is decommissioned, he says the pool will be open for a dog swim day. "It's going to be a fun one as we drain the pool and get it ready… for the next phase for the community," said Noseworthy.
Trade Arabia
19-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Diyar Al Muharraq completes Jeewan Community Center construction
Diyar Al Muharraq, Bahrain's largest real estate developer, has announced the completion of construction works on its community centre located in Jeewan. This marks a key step in the company's ongoing commitment to social responsibility and creating well-rounded, sustainable communities. Drawing influence from contemporary Bahraini architecture, the community centre has been constructed with the highest standards in collaboration with Bawab Contracting as the main contractor, HAJ Quantity Surveyors Co as the project manager, Arab Architects as the lead consultant, and DG Jones and Partners as the cost consultant. On the occasion, Eng Ahmed Ali Alammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Diyar Al Muharraq, said: 'As part of our deep-rooted commitment to social responsibility, we aim to develop projects that enhance our residents' quality of life and meet their evolving needs. We are pleased to announce the completion of the Jeewan community center, which will play an essential role in strengthening social ties and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our partners, whose dedication and expertise remain instrumental in delivering this project in line with the highest quality standards embedded across all our developments.' The centre was constructed on an area of 3,066 sq m with a built-up area of 380 sq m. The space includes a variety of service and retail facilities, featuring an outdoor children's play area, a multi-purpose outdoor court, and seven retail units ranging from 29 sq m to 77 sq m. These amenities aim to serve both Jeewan residents and its neighboring communities. Diyar Al Muharraq is the kingdom's largest integrated residential city that blends luxury with the core family values of Bahraini society. The development offers a wide range of housing solutions and contemporary lifestyles, complemented by a mix of residential, commercial, recreational, and healthcare facilities that embody the vision of modern, future-ready urban infrastructure. -TradeArabia News Service
CBC
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Future of Africa Centre's multicultural hub debated at Edmonton executive committee
The long-delayed multicultural community centre by Edmonton's Africa Centre is now one step closer to fruition, after council's executive committee met Wednesday. The meeting saw dozens of members of Black communities in Edmonton come to city hall to make their voice heard on the direction of the project, as the centre presented its revamped business case to committee. The African Multicultural Community Centre is being envisioned as a cultural hub to serve people of African and Caribbean descent, fostering unity, celebrating diversity and providing community services. This would include an ambitious plan to potentially include amenities like a common space for events, gymnasium, library, commercial space for businesses, kitchen, daycare and low-income housing — all coming in with a price tage of more than $54 million, as outlined by the centre. Board members of the centre are seeking land for the centre on a surplus school site in the Athlone neighbourhood that previously hosted programming at the former Wellington Junior High School. In 2007, the city facilitated a lease agreement with the Edmonton Public School Board, enabling Africa Centre to operate from the school. Administration acquired the Wellington School and land in 2012 with the intention of helping pave the way for a new facility for the centre. Because of a variety of financial roadblocks, development on the centre has been sluggish. "Edmonton is now home to the fastest growing Black community in Canada, with projections that we would make up about 10 per cent of Edmonton's population in coming years," Samuel Juru, executive director of the centre, told committee members on Wednesday. "Through this time of growth, the Africa Centre has also grown exponentially to meet the growing needs of our community." The centre is currently one of four organizations across Canada which is funded by the federal program Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. Juru said the organization has grown to become the largest pan-African non-profit organization in western Canada. A path forward The project has brought to the forefront the complex and nuanced concerns of different members of Edmonton's Black communities. A majority of the speakers spoke in favour of the project. "We find ourselves at a renewed crossroads," said architect Samuel Oboh, who was on the team tasked with crafting the design of the facility in 2017. "What began as a dream has evolved into an intergenerational mission, carried forward by elders, embraced by advocates and now actively championed by youth in the in one of Edmonton's fastest growing communities." Ranti George, a social worker and director of the Afro-Caribbean Indigenous Food Bank, told committee the facility would have importance for newcomers and refugees needing a one-stop shop to access key services. "We are investing in cross-culture collaboration with all other communities in Edmonton as our Indigenous partners, most importantly, a more equitable and inclusive city, which aligns with Edmonton anti-racism strategy." A handful of speakers expressed concerns over a lack of meaningful engagement or having their community needs not being on par with other communities. "Africa is not a monolithic entity. It is a continent of more than fifty countries, each with its own rich heritage, language and tradition," said Mohamed Ahmed with Somali Community Edmonton, noting a lack of engagement with Somali, Sudanese and Eritrean communities based on conversations had with others. "We are here, not to oppose progress, but we are here to ensure that the progress is inclusive of all voices." Community advocate Odion Welch, who was one of the four founding members of Africa Centre counselling clinic, said there needs to be more data provided to show whether engagement had been done to understand the wide ranging concerns by specific communities. "Yes, it will be a significant step in showcasing Edmonton as a multicultural city as numbers rise. However, it will also support the erasure of supports for Caribbean Canadians, Black Canadians and mixed Canadians," Welch said. Juru responded to noting ongoing consultation and future consultation would take place with a variety of communities. Committee ultimately passed a unanimous motion to recommend city council have administration negotiate a $1 deal with the Africa Centre for the land with the option to buy back should construction not begin within 5 years. The motion came with multiple stipulations including: An updated operating model that includes contingencies for vacancy of commercial and housing units. Letters of support from Black-led organizations that reflect the wide diversity of the African, Black and Caribbean community. Evidence of a plan to implement a governance structure for the African Multicultural Community Centre. A capital funding strategy with letters of intent from potential funders.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Callout for groups to manage Willenhall community centre
Groups and organisations are being urged to apply to manage a community centre owned by City of Wolverhampton Community Centre on Hill Road in Willenhall has been vacant since the previous community association left in December council said it remained committed to exploring all options to ensure the building was retained for community wants interested parties to submit expressions of interest by 31 May that either involve taking on the centre through a community asset transfer or by leasing it as a community association. The site contains an activities hall with 75-person capacity, lounge, playroom, meeting room, kitchen, storage, office space and council warned applicants it was a commitment requiring resources and finance and proposals would be assessed for viability and sustainability to ensure the successful organisation was able to deliver valuable services to the Paula Brookfield said: "I would urge people to come forward with their proposals or simply have a conversation with us about what is possible."We have numerous examples of community asset transfers in recent times that have had a positive impact on communities and we are supportive of the work community associations do. "Both routes enable new and innovative means of local service delivery that bring benefits to our communities and contribute towards the council's aims and objectives."Anyone interested should contact the council for more information. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
