Kelvin active living centre to go ahead

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This article was published 12/05/2015 (3830 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kelvin High School is making a final push to reach its $1-million fundraising goal to build an active living centre on campus.

The ambitious 90-day fundraising drive to raise the money came to a close on May 1 with approximately $863,000 funds pledged.  

Vice-principal Joyce Wong says the school has $307,572 in confirmed funds (money that the school has in its accounts), another $400,000 in committed funds in the form of commitment letters and post-dated cheques, and approximately $155,000 in outstanding grants the school is waiting to hear back on.

“We still need support,” Wong told The Sou’wester. “We haven’t reached our million even with all the commitments coming in, so we’re still working hard to get that goal of $1 million.”

The fundraising effort has been a community-led initiative with students, parents, staff and the general public getting involved.

A recent flyer-drop and door-knocking campaign saw approximately 100 students canvas the River Heights area for donations.

“That evening alone we brought in over $5,000 worth of donations,” Wong said. “I feel that the community has embraced the project. It’s been very exciting.”

The active living centre will be an addition to a new gym funded by the province, announced in April 2014. The million-dollar expansion will increase the school’s recreation space by 2,000 square-feet.

“Certainly it’s a need that we have within our school,” Wong said. “We have 1,350 students and one gymnasium and it’s very difficult to schedule classes into one gymnasium when we have so many classes.”

According to Coun. John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry) the active living centre at Kelvin will serve more than just the students who attend the school.

The Corydon Community Centre recently conducted a needs analysis for the area and found a programming a deficit for seniors, Orlikow said.

“River Heights has one of the highest senior populations around, and we were hoping that the ACCESS Centre by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority would be in our neighbourhood… however, it’s not going to be,” Orlikow told The Sou’wester.

“This will allow access to seniors to be able to go walking, to have stationary bikes, and exercise equipment that they’ll be able to access in the evening.”

Kelvin High School received a second community incentive grant in the amount of $50,000 from the River Heights-Fort Garry ward allowance at the May 5 City Centre community committee. The first grant of $50,000 was given on Jan. 13.

Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) also approved a community incentive grant of $5,000 from her ward allowance for the project at the May 5 meeting. Previous community incentive grants from the city include $7,500 from Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge ward and $5,000 from the Daniel McIntyre ward.

On April 27, Kelvin celebrated the fundraising effort with alumni, community members and staff at a wine and cheese event in the school’s library. Honorary Kelvin High School diplomas were given to a dozen donors who have donated at the “Builder” level. 

“It’s been an incredible journey and we truly, truly appreciate everyone’s support,” said Wong.

For more information about the project or to donate, go to www.winnipegsd.ca/schools/Kelvin or call 204-474-1492.

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