KAMLOOPS - The City of Kamloops, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Kamloops and Kamloops Community YMCA/YWCA, has planned and designed a major renovation to the former John Tod elementary school. Government grants, City of Kamloops funding and contributions from the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA/YWCA total $2.2 million for the project. A John Tod Centre Task Force has been established to raise an additional $300,000 in cash and in-kind donations toward these renovations. The Task Force is a partnership between the City of Kamloops, Boys & Girls Club of Kamloops, Kamloops Community YMCA/YWCA, United Way, North Shore Business Improvement Association and North Shore Central Community Association.

As fundraising professionals, United Way has agreed to lend their support and expertise to assist the John Tod Centre fund raising campaign. In addition to providing their expertise, the United Way kicked off the John Tod Centre Campaign by contributing $10,000 towards the renovations of the repurposed elementary school.

“United Way strives to create and support opportunities for citizens to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion in their community and the John Tod Centre is a wonderful opportunity to do this. As a member of the John Tod Task Force, United Way will assist with public awareness and help establish a fundraising strategy to raise $300,000 to complete the renovations needed. We will host the capital campaign and hold in trust any funds raised,” says Brenda Aynsley, Executive Director of United Way.

In addition to the United Way contribution, other donors have committed $80,000 both in cash and in-kind contributions to the John Tod Centre project, including $50,000 from Ron and Rae Fawcett, $15,000 from the Robert L. Conconi Foundation and $15,000 in-kind from Acres Enterprises Ltd, the developer for the project.

Lynda Vigor, John Tod Task Force Chair states, “We are so pleased with the partnerships that have formed to turn the John Tod Centre into reality. With this new location as home to the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA/YWCA, both organizations have the opportunity to provide the unique programs that are such a benefit to our community.”

The positive collaborative approach is shared by the key partners in the building, the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA/YWCA. Traci Anderson, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club comments, “The John Tod Centre is a wonderful facility to offer our community programs. We are looking forward to the completion of the renovations and the great synergies that will be created in sharing the building with the YMCA/YWCA.” Colin Reid, Chief Executive Officer for the YMCA/YWCA shares the positive vision, “To breathe life into the former John Tod through this partnership with the Boys & Girls Club and City of Kamloops is something we are very proud of. The move to the John Tod Centre is positive for our organization. Since moving some of our programs into the facility, we have already seen an increase in participants.”

The City of Kamloops is pleased to have worked with all the partners in the creation of the John Tod Centre. Mayor Peter Milobar states, “The closure of the John Tod Elementary School was not something anyone took lightly. Through our cooperative relationship with School District #73, we were able to reopen the facility for use by two very important organizations that offer excellent community services to children and people of all ages. We are very pleased the former school is being revitalized to become a community centre for all to enjoy.”

In 2012, the City of Kamloops secured the John Tod School from School District #73 to be the future home of the Boys & Girls Club of Kamloops and the Kamloops Community YMCA/YWCA, providing a new venue for these long-standing organizations to offer well-rounded, inclusive services to the community.

Renovations began in early April 2014. For more information or to donate online visit www.johntodcentre.ca.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014