Construction of the new community centre in St-Eugène continues along with efforts to cover the cost of the new facility.
On Wednesday, March 27, United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) council approved a $50,000 request from East Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Kirby for funds from the UCPR’s Regional Community Investment Fund (RCIF). The funds will go toward construction expenses.
Construction of the new St-Eugène community centre began in late 2023. According to East Hawkesbury Chief Administrative Officer Luc Lalonde, the cost of the new facility on Rue Curé Labrosse is currently projected at $1.5 million. Kirby said the original cost of the new community centre was originally $700,000 to $800,000. Lalonde said a total of $780,000 in funding has been confirmed. Kirby said the federal government has provided a $480,000 grant. The remainder of the confirmed funding is so far from the UCPR and a fundraising campaign. Lalonde said the goal is to further raise $289,000 in funding from other sources. The balance will be financed through long-term debt.
“It’s going to be an asset to the village,” Kirby said of the new community centre.
He added that the facility is being constructed in a way which will make it most affordable for the municipality to operate.
