Developer and Chelsea resident Nader Dormani
The Chelsea Foundation is $100,000 closer to reaching its fundraising goal for the Meredith Centre after receiving a large donation from a Chelsea, Quebec resident and developer last week.
Nader Dormani, who built the Jardins Panoramiques development at Hwy 105 and Du Ravin Rd in Chelsea’s south end, announced his $100,000 donation at the Chelsea library Feb. 5. Flanked by Deputy Mayor Luc Poulin and foundation vice-presidents Yves Menard and Serge Cote, the soft-spoken Dormani told the small audience that he felt a responsibility to improve the municipality’s quality of life.
“I think it is the civil responsibility of each person if their financial situation permits it,” Dormani said, urging others to contribute to the foundation.
Dormani’s donation brings the foundation’s fundraising total to $400,000, after receiving money from the Caisse Desjardins de Hull ($225,000), the Peacock Family Foundation ($25,000), Meriel and Jim Bradford ($5,000), and the McNeill family ($10,000). The foundation’s goal is to raise $600,000 of the centre’s $9.8 million cost.
Cote said foundation members would be taking more of a door-to-door approach soon, focussing on individual donations. He was “very confident” they would reach the $600,000 goal.
Calling it “another good day for the foundation”, Menard announced that the centre’s multi-purpose gym will be named for Dormani in recognition of the donation. He urged Dormani to have his friends in the construction business contact Recreation and Culture Director Bruce Devine.
Poulin, a neighbour of Dormani’s, said the pre-qualification of companies for the construction contract would end Feb. 17 and that he’s “very eager” to see the project started this summer. It is scheduled to be completed in June, 2011.
Devine said the municipality is still awaiting written confirmation from the federal and provincial governments about the $6.2 million in joint funding.
“We are proceeding as if we had it,” Devine said. The municipality has received verbal confirmation that the money is secure.
Dormani, who has lived in Chelsea for six years, said he’s looking forward to using the centre with his kids, aged six and eight. He currently has two new developments lined up for Chelsea: one around Loretta Rd and the other on Hwy 105 near the Alonzo Wright bridge. He also owns three car dealerships, including the Mega used car lot in Hull.
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This used to be called a bribe. Guess in the “new Chelsea”, its called a “donation”. The “old Chelsea” is appalled.