The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

Upgrades Begin at Rabbittown Community Centre

Major upgrades and accessibility enhancements are underway at the Rabbittown Community Centre on Graves Street in St. John’s. J & T Construction Ltd. has been awarded a contract valued at $565,300 to complete the work.

“The Rabbittown Community Centre is a valuable resource to the neighbourhood,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “It is a gathering place that provides support and offers opportunities to people in our community. These renovations will enable the centre to grow and to continue providing quality programs and services to hundreds of families and individuals.”

The work will include construction of a new main entrance featuring a stairwell equipped with a platform stair lift to enhance accessibility to the basement and second floor. The centre’s multi-purpose room will be remodeled, new windows, doors and siding will be installed and the roof will be repaired. The project is scheduled to be complete in June 2012.

“We are all looking forward to seeing the finished product and getting back into the centre this summer,” said Lilly Lush, Executive Director of the Rabbittown Community Centre. “The renovations will greatly enhance our ability to provide quality programs and services, and we are delighted that the platform stair lift will enhance the accessibility of the building for people with mobility disabilities.”

Rabbittown Community Centre is one of eight community centres and affiliated neighbourhood centres supported by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation throughout the province. The community centre serves approximately 400 people. Since 1986, the multi-purpose facility and its staff and volunteers have provided recreational, health, educational, social and vocational programs to the community. Programs include After School Drop-in, Homework Haven, Healthy Baby Club, Computer Program, Junior Youth Mentoring, Community Kitchen, Career Services and Public Health Nursing Clinic. While construction is ongoing, programming is being run from the Parish of St. Augustine Church on Westerland Road.

A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador - Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlines a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador also allocated $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure, including $10.4 million for maintenance and $12 million for renovations and improvements.

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,573 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.

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2012 01 13                          11:20 a.m.