NLIS 3
June 14, 2001
(Government Services and Lands)

The following is being distributed at the request of the MacMorran Community Centre:

Sod-turning for new centre a milestone for MacMorran Community

Today, the MacMorran Community is celebrating what it describes as a milestone event, the official sod-turning ceremony for a new 7,500 square-foot community centre to be constructed near the site of the existing MacMorran centre.

The new centre, more than five times the size of the existing structure, will enable the community to deliver expanded social, educational, health, and recreational programs.
Representatives from the federal government, the provincial government, the City of St. John's and the community were on hand for the ceremony and more than $900,000 was allocated to go towards the building of the new centre and delivery of community programs.

Walter Noel, Minister of Government Services and Lands and MHA-Virginia Waters, represented the province at the sod-turning. Mr. Noel said: "Today is a great day for this community. A lot of wonderful people have worked long, hard, and well to make this dream a reality. I am delighted that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing the community with $240,000, over a three-year period, to assist in the construction of the new centre.

I commend all participants at the community, municipal, provincial and federal levels for the combined efforts that have brought us here today."

Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry Canada and Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Trinity, Conception, on behalf of Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), also announced $236,640 in funding for the MacMorran Community Centre under the Labour Market Development Agreement.

"This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the three levels of government and the community work together to achieve a common goal," said Minister Tobin. "The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and provide $236,640 under the Local Labour Market Partnership component of the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA). During the construction period, a project facilitator, four trades leaders and 15 construction workers will receive valuable employment." 

The City of St. John's is also a proud supporter of the centre and has committed $300,000 in capital investment. "We are pleased to be a significant funding partner for the construction of the new community centre," said Mayor Andy Wells. "While the current centre has served the needs of the community effectively, it is in need of considerable repair and it is too small to deliver the many programs offered by MacMorran Community Association." 

According to Keith Davis, building project facilitator for the centre, the sod-turning ceremony "is a milestone event" which will result in a larger and more dynamic centre and expanded program and services. 

The MacMorran Community Centre and other community partners will provide $125,000 in-kind contributions. Other community partners include Gibbons Hampton Architects Ltd., Follett Gosse Associates Consulting Engineers Ltd., White Ottenheimer & Baker-Barristers & Solicitors and St. Pius X Parish.

Mr Davis said: "This day is also very special in that it is the 17th anniversary of the opening of the existing facility. The building of the new centre is clear evidence of the strength and capacity of the community."

The MacMorran Community Centre was established in 1983 to assist families living in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation units on Kelly Street, Brophy Place, Hunt's Lane and Blackwood Place in the north east end of St. John's. 

Approximately 30,000 visits are made to the centre annually. MacMorran also implements projects designed to encourage entrepreneurship, educational and economic development.

Media contact:

Rick Callahan 
Director of Communications 
Government Services and Lands 
(709) 729-4860 

Michelle Andrews
Communications Consultant 
Human Resources Development Canada 
(709)772-0234

Jill Brewer
Communications
City of St. John's
(709) 576-8405 

Mike Wadden/Keith Davis
MacMorran Community Centre
(709) 722-1495 or 722-1168

FACT SHEET

� MacMorran Community Centre serves approximately 600 people residing in 151 non-profit housing units owned by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC). It serves the areas of McGrath Place, Hunts Lane, Blackwood Place, Kelly Street and Brophy Place. 

� The centre, originally known as the Mount Scio Community Centre, was constructed in 1983 under the guidance of the St. Pius X Parish and funded by the federal government. The facility operated recreational and social programs throughout the 1980s with the assistance of federal, provincial and municipal funding.

� In 1990, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation assumed responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the community centre.

� The centre was renamed the MacMorran Community Centre in 1995 to honour Ruby MacMorran a prominent volunteer who died that year.

PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE
MACMORRAN COMMUNITY CENTRE

PRINTS - Parents Roles Interacting with Teacher Support is a program for parent of children up to six years of age. Parents learn steps to literacy by examining their current interaction with their children, learning new activities and techniques to assist them in teaching their children as well as sharing ideas and experiences with them. 

GED/High School - In partnership with the Brother T.I. Murphy Centre, GED and high school courses are being taught to adult learners at the centre. Enrolment is free, however, participants may be responsible for obtaining the appropriate books. An annual graduation is held in the spring. The program runs through the fall, winter and spring of the year.

Strategies for Learning Success - Through the Literacy Development Council, a facilitator and tutors run a drop-in homework program for children and youth aged five to 18 years. This program enhances the Homework Haven Program also run by the centre. More than 50 children and youth currently participate.

Adult/Teen Computer - Two nights a week, computer programs are held, one for adults the other for teens. All participants receive training and assistance from community centre staff in basic computer skills including the Internet, word processing and r�sum� writing. Everyone is encouraged to share their new skills by teaching someone else.

Playtime - Playtime is a community-based parent/child drop-in program for children from new-born to six years of age. In partnership with the Brighter Futures Coalition, parents develop the program, share ideas and experiences on child development, cook and serve nutritious snacks, go on field trips and have quality time to play with their children. This program runs throughout the fall, winter and spring.

Healthy Baby Club - This program is funded by Health Canada and targets expectant mothers. The goal of the program is to prevent low birth weights through education on prenatal issues, support from resource mothers and nutritional supplements. The Healthy Baby Club is a year-round program.

Community Garden - The community garden is designed to provide families of limited incomes an opportunity to grow vegetables at a minimal cost. The garden is covered by a lease agreement between the MacMorran Community Centre and the Pippy Park Commission. The garden has five acres of available land of which four and a half acres is currently used for planting. In 1999, the garden yielded 7,449 pounds of harvest. The site in Pippy Park, is a 30-minutes walk from the centre.

Basic Shelf - Through a partnership with the Brighter Future Coalition, parents select recipes, plan and prepare meals as well as sit down together to enjoy the meal. The program teaches valuable cooking skills while giving parents an opportunity to socialize with their children. This is a 10 - 12 session program and usually runs throughout the fall and winter. 

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE MACMORRAN COMMUNITY CENTRE

Well Baby Clinic - provides an opportunity for parents to bring their children in for health assessments and immunizations.

Pre-School Health Check- the public health nurse is also available at the centre to complete health assessments on children before they enter school.

Counselling for people who wish to continue with post-secondary education 

2001 06 14                                               2:05 p.m.