‘Huge news for the community’ as Herring Cove Community Centre gets government grants
Plans are going forward for the Herring Cove Community Centre following a funding announcement earlier this week.
Halifax MP Andy Fillmore announced a $2.2 million federal grant for the project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
That's in addition to a provincial grant of $465,000.
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A member of the Herring Cove Community Association calls this “huge news for the community.”
“Herring Cove is growing rapidly,” Matt Conrad told CityNews Halifax. “Having a state of the art community centre within walking distance, where there's really not much else going on there … we really kind of need somewhere for people and youth to go and feel welcome.”
The association purchased the old community centre on Latter Pond Lane in 2018 for $1 from Halifax Regional Municipality. The plan now is to renovate and expand the building.
Between government grants and their own fundraising efforts, the group now has almost $3 million for the revitalization project.
“We've narrowed it down to two plans … we reviewed those yesterday,” Conrad said Wednesday. “Everything we desire, we can do.”
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He said accessibility and near-net zero will be top priorities. The work will include a living roof, solar energy and new HVAC systems.
“Things will be as efficient as they possibly can,” Conrad explained.
“A commercial kitchen, one or two multipurpose rooms, a fully functioning bathroom with possibly even a shower, an office, storage space, with a possible deck because I know everyone in the community is really hoping to get some events going like pub nights, movie nights and bingo nights.”
Conrad is hoping work will start by the end of this year.
