Fundraising isn’t over despite the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre’s (SSAC) official reopening celebrations last Saturday.
The launch brought major donors, paying members and local officials to its Trail Avenue location, where project organizers cut ceremonial ribbon and guests were supplied with appetizers and deserts prepared on-site in the renovated kitchen.
The renovation project took about eight months to complete with a budget of approximately $900,000. The expansion included extending the building by five metres, updating the kitchen and office space, installing new floors and adding a dining room.
During and after the event, members and volunteers emphasized the centre’s reliance on local funders, including a $100,000 grant from the Sunshine Coast Community Forest Legacy Fund, which was approved on Jan. 16. The cheque was presented on Saturday.
“That was the last big boost we really needed to make the mortgage we are going to have manageable,” said Joanne Rykers, who sits on the SSAC board and fundraising committee. The mortgage is expected to cost approximately $250,000, which they will begin paying in June.
While the centre received grants and donations from the community and local businesses, it was not successful in securing provincial or federal funding. President Charlie Jensen said the reason came down to timing because the application window didn’t line up with their project timeline. “If we had to wait for those grants this project would have been delayed and would have risen the costs,” he said.
To offset the cost of the mortage, Rykers said the fundraising push will continue.
“[Our] focus is to tackle that mortgage and to get as much paid off before June as we can,” which is when payments start. They are selling raffle tickets and have a chair-naming campaign, and will be pursuing other grants, too. The centre has increased the yearly membership fee by $5 to $30.
“We’ve been really gratified by the response from local individuals and large organizations. That’s where all of our fundraising has come from,” said Rykers.
