June 24 Front Page

June 17, 2009  -  The Chelsea Foundation has resumed its fundraising activities with a bang, receiving $225,000 from Hull’s Caisse Desjardins, bringing it halfway to its fundraising goal for the community centre slated for Chelsea, Quebec.

The bank announced it would be supporting the centre the week before June 14’s referendum but the sum was revealed at a June 22 press conference. Notable attendees included Betty Meredith and her son, David - who donated the centre’s land - as well as mayor Jean Perras.

Guy Lecavalier, chair of the bank’s board of directors, said he was proud to offer long-term financial support.

“Long ‘vie’ to the Meredith Centre,” he said, earning enthusiastic applause from the small crowd.

The Chelsea Foundation intends to raise $600,000 for the $9.8 million centre, to accompany $6.1 million coming from the federal and provincial governments. It had $75,000 raised prior to the Caisse announcement.

“It’s a great project and we’re happy to be associated with it,” said Sandy Kim Benoit, the bank’s youth advisor.

Benoit attended a presentation on the Meredith Centre last February and liked the focus on youth physical activity and employment. She had been working toward an agreement that was reached earlier this month.

Chelsea falls within the bank’s district and some of its financial planners and board members live there, Benoit said.

The money comes just as the foundation’s fundraising committee resumes its activity, which was put on hold during the referendum campaign.

Judy Grant, the committee’s honourary chair, said she intends to return to her fundraising roll when she meets with the board in a couple of weeks, although she first wants to make sure the centre’s plans haven’t changed.

Sketches of the plan were on hand at the press conference and Chelsea Foundation President Caryl Green said there won’t be any alterations.

“The council and the board are in agreement to go forward with the three components of a community centre, skating rink and gymnasium,” Green said.

She said there will be a time for user groups to express their needs within that framework, but said “we’re not rethinking what’s inside of that.”

As fundraising activities recommence, Green said the foundation will be looking for a development officer to run the campaign.

“It’s a big thing to attract donors and organize it all,” she said. “It’s hard to do on a volunteer basis.”

Tagged as: chelsea, meredith centre