CORKERY – Corkery Community Association (CCA) President Katherine Woodward gave West Carleton Online a bit of a tip-off during the community’s Family Day celebration something big would happen at the AGM, but we didn’t suspect the big reveal was going to be an extreme makeover.

The Corkery Community Centre will receive a $1.5 million renovation over the next two years.

Woodward and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry shared the news with the community last night (March 12) during the CCA’s Annual General Meeting held in the tiny community centre’s public hall, filled to capacity with 20 adults on chairs and one small board table.

Woodward provided a bit of backstory, travelling back in time about a year to the CCA’s early discussions about choosing a fundraising project for the community. After a vote, the community chose to commit to putting a roof over the outdoor arena.

The original proposal was for $400,000 with the city paying half and the community raising the other half.

As a small committee moved forward with the project the process hit snags as CCA Vice President Andrew McIsaac told West Carleton Online at a Sept. 30 volunteer appreciation event.

As the costs escalated to $800,000 and confirmation the city does not like to fund major projects that have less than a 35-year lifespan – the project was slipping away.

But now the community centre is getting a major upgrade as part of the 2019 City of Ottawa budget. $500,000 will be allocated in 2019 and roughly another $1 million in 2020.

The funding comes out of the rural allotment of development fees. That money is distributed around the rural segments of the city and now it is the west’s turn.

“The budget passed, so the money is allocated,” Coun. El-Chantiry told the meeting attendees.

The first allotment is for planning, processes and assessments and “whatever they have to do,” El-Chatiry said.

The following year construction will begin. Coun. El-Chantiry also had some advice for the community.

“You should have a building committee, not more than five people,” he said.

Woodward said organizing work has already begun.

“That’s basically the plan,” she said. “We already have three on it and we are looking for one or two more. We want to make the building bigger so we can have more events. Shade by the park has also been brought to our attention many times in the past.”

The CCA hopes to raise some money to support the project as well.

“We won’t know what the fundraising goal is until we get together and know what we want,” Woodward said.

The CCA will take over organization and operation of the Concerts in the Parks series held annually in Fitzroy Provincial Park.

“In the past the parks and recreation department has always run this event,” El-Chantiry said. “The CCA can use it as a fundraiser.”

El-Chantiry was happy to be able deliver the good news in person.

“It is a very good news story for our community,” he told West Carleton Online after the meeting. “They work so hard and they have waited a long time for this day to come. I am very excited and happy to see progress is happening. I will be working with the volunteer group on a new design.”