In exchange for expanded youth programming, the W.I.S.H. Centre has been granted a new lease on life.
Chatham-Kent Council has approved a request to extend the municipality’s agreement with the community centre to 2030. This will also enable the W.I.S.H. Centre to expand programs for children aged 13 years and younger, and now offer youth programming for those aged 14-18.
The W.I.S.H. Centre initially contacted the municipality in January expressing concern about how monthly rent charges for the King Street East building and increased expenses in other areas were threatening to close the facility. The centre proposed a five-year pilot program to expand programming and that the municipality freeze the monthly rental charge for providing this service.
As part of the motion on Monday, council agreed to freeze the rent payments until 2030 and waive just over $31,000 in outstanding charges.
A financial case will be brought to council as part of next year’s municipal budget process in an effort to offset the annual rent freeze. Municipal staff and WISH Centre officials will reassess ahead of the 2031 budget update, to see if the centre’s rent can be reinstated.
CK Mayor Darrin Canniff spoke to XS Mornings this week about the approved motion.
“What a wonderful facility, they have a gym over there,” the mayor said. “The concept would be they start having different things happening at night within the gym so kids can go find things to do…Very exciting what is going to be happening at the WISH Centre.”
The W.I.S.H. centre has been operating since 1996, providing youth programming after school, during March Break, on professional development days and during summer holidays.
The non-profit community centre is open to all children in the area and provides them with food, homework support, shelter and safety.
