Big changes are coming to an activity centre in Wallaceburg after receiving a prestigious grant.
The Wallaceburg Adult Activity Centre has received $221,300 of funding through two Resilient Community Fund Grants.
They’ve already started to receive instalments for the first portion of the grant in collaboration with the Wallaceburg Kinsmen Club, Wallaceburg Museum, and Sydenham Curling Club.
Victoria Stewart, administrative coordinator of the centre, says a big part of the funding is about working within the community.
“That particular grant will enable us to analyze all of our different facilities and work together. If we have a meeting space and the museum doesn’t, we can collaborate and work together to make sure we’re helping each other out and positioning ourselves to move forward out of COVID,” says Stewart.
The individual portion of the grant is set to be released in instalments starting in the middle of August.
This will help with hiring and training new staff, upgrading facilities, and new programming.
Stewart says there are many programs at the centre in need of re-vamping to better serve those using them.
“Our fitness rooms are actually upstairs which does make it difficult for some older adults to participate in some of our more mild exercise classes and things like that,” says Stewart. “It’s also not a very big space, so this will help cover some of those costs.”
She says the funding will supply resources as they recover from challenges brought on during the pandemic and hopes to plan for the future of the centre.
“This will help us get to the point where we can figure out where we’re going in the future and help us cover the costs in the meantime while we get there,” says Stewart.
The provincial investment initiative from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is supporting 16 non-profits in Southwestern Ontario aiming to help provide critical needs, hiring and training new staff, upgrading facilities, new programming and vital services.
The Wallaceburg Adult Activity Centre provides leisurely and recreational services for people 45 and older. People of all ages are encouraged to learn more about the programs offered on their website.
