President's Comments: Community Centre Expansion

Recently the Linden Woods Community Centre Board applied for funding for expansion of Linden Woods Community Centre.  The need for expansion has been felt for some time.  The existing facility was built in the early 90’s. The community has experienced significant growth over the years and the amount of recreation space has not kept pace.

 

The proposal is based on a previous expansion plan and consists of an addition of a full sized gymnasium (with basketball and volleyball courts), raised stage and sound system, storage and various size-meeting and activity rooms. 

 

The objective is to provide a centralized sports and recreational facility that meets the needs of the community. Full sized gymnasium will allow offering of sports like basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports within the community. Community based social and cultural events will become possible with the existence of raised stage and proper sound system.  Several meeting rooms of various sizes will serve the needs of a wide variety of intergenerational groups. The expanded facility will become in true sense a focal point that makes an important contribution to the quality of life of the community.   

 

The expansion plan, though based on information collected from the community over the years, is conceptual in nature at this time.  Work on the actual plans that will be presented to the community for review and comments, will not commence until approval for funding is received. 

 

The cost of the project is estimated at $3,600,000. Funding application is made under Recreation Infrastructure Canada Program.  This program is a part of an economic stimulus plan of the Government of Canada.  Under the program requirements three levels of government share the cost of projects equally.  The maximum amount of grant from the Government of Canada is $1,000,000.  Accordingly the funding application calls for $3,000,000 from three levels of government and the balance of $600,000 will be contributed by the community.

 

The Linden Woods Community Center Board has established a Fund Raising Committee.  Fund raising campaign for $600,000 share of the community contribution will be launched as soon as approval for funding is received. In order to meet the March 31, 2011 deadline for completion of the project, we are hoping we will hear about our funding application soon.

 

Expansion project if approved, will be one of the big undertakings of the Board that will need a lot of help from the community.  As always if you would like to volunteer or have any comments or suggestions about the expansion or any other matters related to the Community Centre, please contact me at 489-1780.

 

Nazir Ahmad

LWCC President