What took a number of years of working with partners to put the concept into action to both secure the space and the funding has now been unveiled in the Orchard community. Elected officials, city staff, and community contributors joined together to officially welcome the Community Hub: a safe space for local community programs and residents to come together.
A second location for Burlington, the Community Hub is available to neighbourhood groups looking to offer free activities, programs, and events to residents. This welcoming space offers a kitchenette, casual seating, washrooms, and a projector and screen. With a capacity of up to 40 people, the room is available free of charge but requires advance bookings through the city’s website.
“We, as a city, are really focused on partnering with our community to deliver good things, because we know we can’t do it all on our own. What I love about it is that the community came forward and expressed a need, they approached their ward councillor, the ward councillor worked with the city staff, and the city staff worked with everybody to make this happen,” says Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. “When I was invited to speak tonight, the first thing on my mind is when can we open the next one?”
It was approximately seven years in the making: “You can’t imagine the journey we’ve come along to get here,” says Councillor Paul Sharman. The community came forward with the need for a place to gather, and since 2015, Sharman worked diligently to consult with the residents of the Orchard neighbourhood through community engagement and round-table conversations. “The reason we did this was then to provide people somewhere to come and engage, and not have to pay for it because it was for the good of the community,” says Sharman.
Businesses, for-profit organizations, or programs that generate business or have a fee attached are welcome to book the space at a regular rental fee plus the cost of insurance.
The Community Hub is located within St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School, at 2400 Sutton Drive in Burlington. For more information, or to book, visit: https://www.burlington.ca/en/community-supports/community-hub.aspx
