West Island Black Community Association unveils plans for new community center – Montreal

The Community Center in Roxborough has been serving members of the Western Isles Black Community Association (WIBCA) for nearly three decades.

But the organization's president says it's time to expand.

“We serve over 400 members in the West Island, but we're open to everyone on the Island of Montreal, so we've grown,” said Joanne Lee. “So that's one of the reasons we need a big place – a modern space.”

At a press conference on Monday, the association announced plans to build a new community center for the region's NSC, along with various West Island mayors, including Brigitte Garceau.

The price tag is about $3.5 million, most of which must be raised through public and private donations.

The new center will be built at the current location.

The association hopes to break ground in about a year.

While the building is under construction, programs, events and activities will be relocated to various West Island community centers.

They expect the construction of the new building to take about nine months.

The proposed design of the building includes, among others, a reception hall, a kindergarten, a library and a state-of-the-art robotics laboratory.

“We need space not only for our labs, but for our youth centers, for our seniors, because we have so many people using the building and connecting with our community,” Frank said. Baylis, WIBCA Vice President.

It's a trend now

• Company $35 million after fraudsters deepfake video calls with CFO and colleagues

• 'Dark times in Manitoba': Carman man faces 5 first-degree murder charges in family's death

For WIBCA founder Margaret Jolly, who helped establish the association 42 years ago, the news of its expansion is both exciting and emotional.

“To see what happened to WIBCA from two moms who started looking for a place for their kids to play basketball — that's how it started,” Jolley said. “It's great. I can't express my feelings today in words.”

And they say that for the young and old who are using the cultural center today, there will be a lot of new housing.

“I don't think the space we have right now is going to match the impact that WIBCA has had over the years,” said Ashera Ramdhan Page, 16, who is part of WIBCA's robotics club.

“I'm really excited to see how the project turns out.”

© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.