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

The Power of a Community � MacMorran Community Centre grand opening

Oliver Langdon, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), Walter Noel, Minister of Mines and Energy and MHA-Virginia Waters, Andy Wells, Mayor, City of St. John�s, Norm Doyle, MP- St. John�s East, along with Mike Wadden, Executive Director, MacMorran Community Centre, community members and an array of project supporters will celebrate the grand opening of the new MacMorran Community Centre at a ribbon cutting ceremony this evening.

The centre originally known as the Mount Scio Community Centre, was constructed in 1983, and funded by the federal government. The little "blue house," as it was known in the community, operated recreational and social programs throughout the 1980s. Serving more than 450 families in a 151-unit social housing development in the areas of McGrath Street, Hunts Lane, Blackwood Place, Kelly Street and Brophy Place has not always been an easy task in such a small setting. Tonight, all that will change.

"Investments in communities such as this provide the fundamental building blocks to ensure opportunities are provided for a cooperative community development process that will sustain healthy, supportive and safe communities," said Oliver Langdon, Minister Responsible for Housing. "With this type of community capacity building taking place throughout our province, and being supported by all three levels of government, we experience a level of satisfaction that is key to building successful communities, and ultimately a successful province."

"The people of the MacMorran Community have done a great job providing facilities and services for residents of the area. The new centre demonstrates the support, confidence and appreciation of various levels of government for the work being done. I really value the friendships I�ve made, and the opportunities I�ve had to contribute to these efforts since being elected to represent the area in 1989," said Minister Noel.

This new 7,500 square-foot community centre will provide access and equal opportunity for community members to participate in social, health, recreational, educational and cultural programs that will build self-esteem and provide community members with opportunities in their own community. The centre also provides access for people with disabilities and is capable of hosting large community events such as community forums, social events and learning workshops. A new gymnasium will enable the centre to provide a wider variety of physical activity programs to the entire community year-round. A new computer room, library and family resource centre will enable programs such as Strategies for Learning Success (SLS), Youth Services Canada (YSC), Programs for Early Parents Support and Community Economic Development, to mention a few, with adequate resources and office space to play host to a larger number of community members waiting to participate in these programs. A doctor�s office, food bank and clothing room are also available to help community residents maintain their health and well-being.

Kim Foley, MacMorran community resident commented: "The community centre has given me the opportunity to achieve goals I never thought possible. There were so many things I wanted to try, but felt they were too difficult. However, the centre staff showed me my community is a place that helps me achieve my goals and go further than I ever realized."

The MacMorran Community Centre aims to inspire its residents to play an active role in planning, governing, administrating and evaluating programs and activities that will be a crucial part of the community�s development and sustainability.

The construction of the new centre is cost-shared on a federal, provincial and municipal level. The federal government, through the Labour Market Development Agreement, contributed $236,640, the provincial government, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will contribute $240,000 over a three-year period, and the City of St. John�s has committed $300,000 in capital investment. In addition, MacMorran Community Centre and other community partners have provided $125,000 of in-kind contributions. Other partners include Gibbons Hampton Architects Ltd., Follett Gosse Associates Consulting Engineers Ltd., Provincial Consultants, White Ottenheimer & Baker - Barristers & Solicitors and St. Pius X Parish.

"As the MP for St. John�s East, I recognize the important role this centre plays in the lives of its community members. I commend all participants at the community, municipal, provincial and federal levels for the combined efforts that have made this occasion a success," said Mr. Doyle.

"The MacMorran Community Centre, its staff and volunteers are a good example of what can be achieved when people work together to reach a common good. It is this type of determination and dedication that plays an important part in the continuous development and growth of communities," said Mayor Wells. "I wish the MacMorran community continued success for the future."

Celebrations for invited guests are set to begin at 7:00 p.m., 31-33 Brophy Place, St. John�s.

Media contact:

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

Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Department of Mines and Energy
(709) 729-5777

Jenny Bowring
NLHC, (709) 724-3055

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

• 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, KellyStreet 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 MACMORRAN COMMUNITY CENTRE

PRINTS - Parents Roles Interacting with Teacher Support is a program for parents 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.

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-minute 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.

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.

2003 04 10                                         11:20 a.m.