New Parc-Extension Community Center (NCC)
Setting the scene
On October 9, 2019, at one of the major meetings of the Neighborhood Plan, representatives of the Parc-Extension community confirmed the collective decision to develop a major cross-cutting project: the New Community Center (NCC).
With this intention, in December 2019, a first working group was formed with a core of 22 members to reflect on the development of this project. The new community center (NCC) was defined, among other things, as an accessible space offering a diversity of services in Parc-Extension.
Work steps
After a forced halt due to the pandemic, mobilization and consultation around the project resumed in July 2022.
In December 2022, we met with the team from the office of the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, about the funding opportunity proposed by the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.
With this in mind, a meeting was held with the borough to discuss concrete possibilities in terms of available land and funding.
In January 2023, a new working group (WG) was formed with members ready to work quickly before the BCVI submission deadline of February 28, 2023.
To this end, several important missions were carried out, such as :
- Coordination of the WG’s work.
- Drafting and distributing meeting reports.
- Weekly coordination of experts working on architectural plans, energy studies, the Technical Resources Group and the budget.
- The search for financial partners to co-finance the project’s development.
- Keeping the various players in the neighborhood informed of progress in the process of relaunching the NCC.
- Timely submission of the BCVI application.
Project progress
Following BCVI’s application, the working group resumed its work, broadening the representation of its members.
Further discussions were held with the borough to seek additional funding.
This led to consideration of the possibility of signing a collaboration agreement with the subcontractor. Also, the development of a technical functional program and the creation of a business plan for the project.
On June 27, 2023, the Table de Quartier organized a neighborhood assembly to report on progress and discuss the Parc-Extension NCC project with the community. The meeting brought together nearly 60 neighborhood stakeholders, all committed to the development of this initiative. The main objective was to improve the proposed statement of change that this project will bring, by reflecting on what will animate this future place. What will its values be, and how will it improve the quality of life of residents. All these reflections will feed into the work of the working group and help finalize the game plan to be submitted to the various funding bodies.
Change statement :
In 2026, a Carrefour de services diversifiés will be available to all Parc-Extension residents.
This Carrefour is a gathering place, like a multi-generational parents’ home, where it’s good to meet, exchange ideas, learn and have fun.
Its values include inclusion, civic engagement and social development of the neighborhood.
It is well served by public transit and located near Howard Park.
The building respects the environmental dimension by meeting carbon-neutral standards.
It uses geothermal air conditioning to reduce the building’s energy consumption, and a roof that won’t contribute to heat islands. The concrete construction will ensure better thermal inertia and therefore greater energy resilience in the face of power outages.
The three-storey building is designed to accommodate people with reduced mobility, visual impairments or other disabilities.
Analysis findings
Following the neighborhood assembly, data was gathered from the various consultation workshops. The analysis findings concern the following elements:
- A community center as a living environment ;
- An inclusive and accessible community center;
- A resilient community center.
To view the presentation of the Parc-Extension NCC project’s statement of change, improved with the members of the working group, click here.
Challenges
- Continue consultation pending acceptance of BCVI funding application.
- Look for new financing opportunities beyond those already planned.
- Find an available site on which to build the NCC, taking into account the neighborhood’s compartmentalization and the borough’s proposal.
- Get the various players to find common ground and coordinate their different issues.
- Consideration of neighborhood needs (residents, relocation of neighborhood community organizations, and the borough).
- Strike a balance between supporting organizations in the relocation of community organizations and continuing to work on the NCC project as part of the neighbourhood plan.
Analysis findings
Following the neighborhood assembly, data was gathered from the various consultation workshops. The analysis findings concern the following elements:
- A community center as a living environment ;
- An inclusive and accessible community center;
- A resilient community center.
To view the presentation of the Parc-Extension NCC project’s statement of change, improved with the members of the working group, click here.
Challenges
- Continue consultation pending acceptance of BCVI funding application.
- Look for new financing opportunities other than those already planned.
- Find an available site on which to build the NCC, taking into account the neighborhood’s compartmentalization and the borough’s proposal.
- Get the various players to find common ground and coordinate their different issues.
- Consideration of neighborhood needs (residents, relocation of neighborhood community organizations, and the borough).
- Strike a balance between supporting organizations in the relocation of community organizations and continuing to work on the NCC project as part of the neighbourhood plan.
