President's Comments: New Gymnasium Capital Fund Campaign

The March 5th, 2010 funding announcement for the expansion of Linden Wood Community Centre (LWCC) was the culmination of nine months hard work by the board. The announcement is welcome news as well as a challenge. It is welcome, as it will enable LWCC to proceed with its long overdue expansion plans and a challenge, as the community must raise its part of the capital contribution by June 30, 2010.

 

The original proposal consisted of an addition of 16,000 sq. ft. at an estimated cost of $3.6 million. Of this amount, $3.1 million was to come from the government grants and the balance of $500,000 from contribution by LWCC.  The amount of the grant announced by three levels of government is $2.5 million, thus representing a shortfall of $600,000. This shortfall is being met by reduction in the scope of the project. 

 

The proposed addition was modest in scope to begin with and represented a bare minimum to meet an identifiable need. The reduction in scope due to shortfall in capital grant will definitely reduce the effectiveness of the project in meeting the community need.  Any further reduction in scope due to escalation in construction cost or other contingencies will certainly compromise the integrity of the project. In order to avoid the likelihood of this happening, it is incumbent upon us as a community to raise sufficient funds to meet our commitment.

 

Of the $500,000 committed by LWCC, $250,000 is on hand at this time and the balance of $250,000 is to be raised by June 30. The Capital Campaign Committee of LWCC is preparing plans for the campaign. Although the details of the campaign will be announced soon, the main thrust of the campaign will be as follows:

 

• Individual Households:  Expanded facility will be a valuable asset in the community and will directly benefit the residents of the area.  Consequently individual households are considered to be the main source for fund raising.  Although donations of any amount are welcome, we are asking each household to consider donating $100 each.  Our thanks to those of you who are already responding to this appeal, and have made your donation using the donation form published in special edition of Linden Words of March 2010.  It is our hope that all residents will make their contribution in this manner.  The donation form is published in April issue and will be repeated in May issue of the Linden Words.
• Business and Corporate sector. Lidenwoods and area have a thriving business and corporate sector that provides valuable service and makes many other contributions to enhance the quality of life.  Despite this, when it comes to an undertaking of a major project like the one being undertaken by LWCC, it is always difficult if not impossible to contemplate such a project without the financial help from the business and corporate sector.  So we are appealing to you to please consider making a donation to ensure that the integrity of the project is not further compromised by reducing the scope.  Although donations of any amounts are welcome, various levels of suggested amounts for special recognition are $500, $1000, $3000 and $5000.  Please use the suggested form published in the March and April issue and repeated here in this issue of the Linden Words to make your donation.

 

All contributors of $20 or more will receive a charity receipt for tax purposes.  Contributors of  $100 or more will be recognized permanently on the “Honour Wall” to be incorporated as a part of the addition. For display purposes, the donations will be appropriately categorized to signify the amount of the donation.

 

Please make cheques payable to: Linden Woods Community Foundation,  414 Lindenwood Drive West, Winnipeg, MB. R3P 2K5.  Donations may also be dropped off at 19 Shoreline Drive.

 

As always if you would like to volunteer or have any comments or suggestions about programs or any other matter related to the community centre, please contact me at 489-1780.

 

Nazir Ahmad

President, LWCC