Thursday, July 02, 2015
City of London
City of London opens an expanded South London Community Centre during Canada Day celebrations
The City of London and community partners unveiled today the expanded South London Community Centre. It has a 17,000 square foot $6.5.million addition, plus renovated space that will allow more and improved services to the public. The unveiling occurred during the Canada Day celebrations hosted by the Community Council White Oaks in partnership with the City.
The expansion and renovation project includes:
- a state of the art kitchen that has been relocated within the site
- a new Social Services office (formerly Ontario Works)
- additional multipurpose space for recreation, meetings or community use
- expanded space for the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre’s Settlement Services
- outdoors, a new plaza for community gatherings with a ground spray system that shoots water up for children to play
- renovations to some of the existing community centre space.
The expansion will help generate many positive impacts for the South London community:
- expanded Spectrum programming
- expanded gym and room space available for community use or rentals
- provide local access to a full suite of services provided by Social Services including Ontario Works and employment supports – an expansion of the current service level
- more space that will help improve the delivery of services by South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre Settlement Services
- an expanded, modern kitchen for use by Spectrum classes and community groups
- a unique outdoor community gathering place for celebrations, engagement events and for kids to cool off in the summer.
This project, combined with other initiatives and facilities around White Oaks Park, creates a campus of community services and programs offered by the City and partners in one area.
The area partners include the City (Parks and Recreation, Neighbourhood, Children and Fire Services, Social Services), South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, London Public Library, Thames Valley District School Board, and the Child and Youth Network. The sites include the South London Community Centre and Jalna Library Branch, the South London Community Pool, Family Centre White Oaks, and White Oaks Public School.
Quotes:
“With this expansion, South London Community Centre continues to grow as a model ‘community hub’, housing unique places for residents to gather, play, learn, cook, read, and access needed services.”
— Mayor Matt Brown
“This investment and expansion project is another great example of how the City is working collaboratively with community partners and agencies, and how collaboration will greatly improve the ability of London families to receive these important services.”
— Lynne Livingstone, Managing Director, Neighbourhood, Children and Fire Services for the City of London
“We are excited to be a part of this expansion. Social Services has been a part of the South London Community Centre on a smaller scale for several years, and the community told us we needed to expand our services to meet the needs of the community. The opening of this Social Services location means that we will be bringing a full array of services closer to where the residents of South London live. This creates opportunities to connect and collaborate more easily at the neighbourhood level with other related services and supports in the community, including employment, training and newcomer settlement services, all of which contribute to people feeling more positive and empowered.”
— Sandra Datars Bere, Managing Director, Housing, Social Services and Dearness Home for the City of London
“The South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre is pleased to bring a new level of excellence in service delivery for our Newcomer Settlement Services. Through funding by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and in partnership with the YMCA of Western Ontario as well as many other partners in the community the centre continues to be a place for all residents of all ages to receive support and resources. The residents of South London have been locally guiding the development of many programs, services and resources in South London since 1981. This current addition reflects our changing community and the collaboration of service providers with a common goal of responding to local need and engaging the residents. Both the indoor and outdoor features of our wonderful community site is a must visit during this summer.”
— Nancy Needham, Executive Director for the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre.
“The South London Community Centre and Jalna Library have been an important destination for people in the community, meeting many needs and creating community over the years. We look forwarding to continuing to work together to provide opportunity and realize community potential through Library services such as early literacy programming, services to newcomers and access to public computers. The expansion and revitalization will ensure that this facility continues to provide great service and create connections that enrich the lives of Londoners.”
— Susanna Hubbard Krimmer, CEO & Chief Librarian, London Public Library
Media Contact:
Tony Kyle
Manager, West Area Recreation Services
City of London
tkyle@london.ca
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