Latest news with #communitycentre
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Montreal announces $625K investment for Canada's first French-speaking LGBT+ community centre
As Pride Week comes to an end this weekend, the City of Montreal announced Friday the creation of Espace + Village, which will become the first French-speaking LGBT+ community centre in Canada. Both the city and the Ville-Marie borough are investing $425,000 and $200,000, respectively, for the new building, which will be located near the corner of Sainte-Catherine Street East and Saint-Timothée Street, in the heart of the Village neighbourhood. In a press release, the city says the new, carbon-neutral space will house more than a dozen not-for-profit organizations in various sectors 'to create safe and accessible spaces for LGBTQ+ populations and to host community services and cultural events that will promote the Village's unique identity.' 'This new space is much more than a building. It is a place of identity, a community anchor, a space of solidarity for the organizations, artists, and citizens who bring the Village to life,' said Luc Rabouin, Executive Committee member responsible for economic development and higher education for the City of Montreal. 'With this new financial contribution, we are reiterating our unwavering support for the Village and LGBTQIA2S+ communities and organizations and highlighting their crucial importance in making Montreal and the downtown core ever more inclusive. This project contributes to the city's reputation as a city of identity, like Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Saskatoon, and affirms its commitment to inclusion and diversity.' The $625 million investment is in addition to the $400,000 invested last year under a program to help Espace LGBT+ acquire the building, bringing the total contribution from the city to $1.025 million. 'In recent years, LGBTQIA2S+ organizations around the world have seen their community spaces and resources increasingly limited. Montreal recognizes the essential role these organizations play in the vitality of our neighbourhoods, the strengthening of the social fabric and the support of our communities. That is why we are taking direct action to help the LGBTQ+ Space and its partners realize this long-awaited project: Espace + Village,' added Robert Beaudry, councillor for the Saint-Jacques district in the Ville-Marie borough. 'The Village is a unique neighbourhood, shaped by the commitment of its communities. This project will consolidate that identity. It is the queer organizations and associations that make the neighbourhood vibrant. Hats off to Espace LGBTQ+ and its partners for their commitment to making this project a success.' Pride Week in Montreal ends on Sunday, with the marquee event — the Pride parade — taking place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Land where 'unsafe' Nottingham community centre was demolished to be transformed
Plans are being put together to transform an area in Bulwell where a community centre was demolished months ago after being deemed 'unsafe'. Nottingham City Council confirmed in January 2025 that it would be demolishing the Rise Park Community Centre on Bestwood Park Drive West after an inspection found issues including cracks throughout the site. Those running the facility, which helped around 400 people every week, have spoken of the stress of moving all the groups into a new site "at a minute's notice". The community groups and activities previously held at Rise Park have now been moved to the Top Valley Community Centre, which itself is now fighting for its future. Karen Kemp, who was chair of the Rise Park Community Centre, now says plans are underway to transform the empty land that used to house the site. The community leader said: "We're looking at creating a green space, we've got a plan of action and we've got existing funds, but we want to work with the community and ask what they would like to see there. READ MORE: Nottingham thug savagely beat terrified woman and threatened her with knife in violent shop robbery READ MORE: 'I'm over the moon - we finally have a council flat after months in limbo' "It's not a question of if, but when." A meeting is being held on October 2 at the St Mary's Church on Highbury Road for the community to share ideas on what they want to see on the site. Councillor Sam Gardiner, one of Bulwell Forest's Labour councillors, previously said a green space or park would be the most sensible option for the land's future. He said: "We will want to hear the views of the residents of Rise Park, but given the small footprint of the site, it is hard to see what else could go there. Perhaps an extension of the green space and the local park would feel about right." Councillor Corall Jenkins, Nottingham City Council's executive member for communities, waste and equalities, previously said: "The association which uses the building had reported the appearance of cracks in the structure so a thorough inspection was carried out by specialist contractors. The inspection found the building was unsafe to use so we immediately closed the building for safety reasons while further assessments were carried out. "This work has found that repairing the building would not be a viable option so unfortunately a decision has had to be made to demolish the building. We understand the disappointment there will be in the local community about this news but people's safety has to be our top priority. "Most community groups which regularly use the centre have relocated to alternative venues and we would like to thank the centre management for facilitating that. We will continue to provide support where needed."
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Molesey Centre users call for reversal of Elmbridge council plans
Community centre volunteers and service users fear they will lose the "lifeline" building as part of a Surrey council's savings of Molesey Centre say services run from the building are "essential" for their wellbeing, while volunteers say closure could affect people's mental come after Elmbridge Borough Council plans to replace its Meals on Wheels service and sell off community centres were approved in council declined to comment ahead of a special overview and scrutiny meeting due to take place on Wednesday. Merv Griffin, treasurer of Friends of Molesey Centre, said: "The approach is like squeezing a balloon, it bulges at the other end, and you are just shifting the burden and where the money goes."Gabby Elliot, who runs exercise classes in the centre, added: "There's a lot of people that really enjoy coming here. It's a lifeline to them."Council plans would see Meals on Wheels services run by the authority wound down, while community centres would be given over to the voluntary sector. Dementia care services would also become an independent entity, either as a charity or a community interest company (CIC).Community services in the borough cost about £4m a year, but reach less than 1% of residents, the council claims, and new plans would aim to reach more people while saving £ users say it should be kept open even if it runs at a loss, adding: "We have paid our taxes, so we should get benefits from that." The council's cabinet initially approved plans on 24 July, but these have since been called in for scrutiny by opposing John Cope, leader of the Conservative opposition, said the move was a "last ditch attempt" to reverse the decision, adding: "Our community centres are a lifeline – especially for elderly residents and those struggling with the cost of living."
BBC News
05-08-2025
- BBC News
Warwick community centre's ongoing graffiti problem 'frustrating'
A community centre in Warwick has said it is "frustrating" to keep cleaning up graffiti that appears on its building and Chase Meadow Community Centre at Narrow Hall Meadow said the problem has been going on for "at least" six Whitten, centre manager, said that as a small charity it takes up "resources and time that we really don't have".Warwickshire Police said they have launched a criminal damage investigation, with officers in the process of gathering CCTV footage. It follows a similar incident at Warwickshire County Council's Shire Hall headquarters on the weekend, when green graffiti with abusive language appeared across the main entrance and featured the same signature. Ms Whitten continued: "It's a small amount of time and a small amount of money, but as I say, we've got enough to do without having to [clean] that."We really do take pride in the centre here, we do try to keep it looking nice."She said if the incident at Shire Hall was the same individual or group - which it appeared to be from the signature - it was a step up from their usual acts."It was really disappointing to see that on another public building, we've never had it to that extent or on that level."I would have been absolutely gutted to come and find our centre in that state, so I can only imagine how frustrating that was for staff." Fay Abbott, a project worker at the community centre, said they have had to buy dedicated graffiti cleaning supplies for the centre's cleaning cupboard."It does frustrate me, because if they did something nicer then maybe we'd leave it up, but not just writing."However, despite the annoyance she said that the centre's doors remained open if the culprit was a young person needing support."If they want to come speak to us, we could try and find somewhere for them to do the graffiti on, then that would be one way to try and tackle it."Meanwhile Ms Whitten added: "It could be a real skill and a real talent if it was harnessed in the right way."I think we're really lucky in Warwick, there is so much already happening for children and young people."It's just, I suppose, we're potentially not engaging everyone and it's asking that question of how do we engage more young people."The charity offers a range of classes and activities for adults and children - from toddler play groups to karate to dementia drop ins - run by outside groups, as well as a community cafe in term time, and uses money generated through room hire to pay the bills."Anything that we want to do for the community over and above that we have to fundraise for," she District Council said that anti-social behaviour can be reported on its website. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CBC
31-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Fort McMurray 468 First Nation opens new $30M community centre
Social Sharing A stunning new $30 million community centre is open in northern Alberta where members of the Fort McMurray 468 First Nation will gather for meetings, recreation and various events. Nikinan, which means "our place" in Cree, is located at Indian Beach on the shore of Gregoire Lake, about 30 kilometres south of Fort McMurray. "It's one of the most beautiful things that I've been part of," said Samantha Whalen, a councillor with the First Nation. "And it'll stand here and it'll grow with the community as we develop more infrastructure. "Fort McMurray First Nation has never taken on a project of this magnitude in its history." The facility officially opened in early July. The centre has a commercial kitchen, spaces for elders and youth, and a gym with an indoor court that also doubles as a gathering space for occasions such as nation's meetings. "It's more of a welcoming space to everybody. It accommodates everybody from every age group," said Neil Cheecham, the First Nation's chief. Nikinan's design has been influenced by various buildings, Whalen said. "This building actually encompasses many, many buildings that we visited throughout the development," she said. The building was designed by Workun Garrick and built by JEN COL Construction. Both are Alberta-based firms. "We're incredibly proud to have been part of something truly meaningful," the construction company posted to social media. "We're honoured to have played a role in creating a space where traditions are celebrated, stories are shared and futures are shaped." The majority of the cost was self-funded by the nation, Whalen said. Cheecham said the project's successful completion can make new builds in the community easier. "It just opened the door to so much more, and I don't think there would be such a push back as there was before," Cheecham said. He said the project demonstrated that community members can place their trust in the First Nation's leadership when it comes to the community's future. While housing remains a priority for the First Nation, there should also be services supporting their residents, Whalen said. "It's a balancing act," she said.
