The Township of Alfred and Plantagenet has been awarded a grant of $166,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for the third consecutive year to purchase equipment and repair, renovate, and modernize the Alfred Community Centre.
Located at 520 St-Philippe Street, the Alfred Community Centre was acquired from the Alfred Knights of Columbus on January 31, 2024, after serving for many years as a gathering place for community events in the village. Built around 60 years ago, the building needs more than just a fresh coat of paint. The OTF capital grant will allow the township, among other things, to redo part of the exterior flat roof, renovate the front of the building, redo the floor and ceiling, renovate the kitchen, modernize the washrooms for accessibility, and equip the entrance door with an automatic opening mechanism.
Additional funds may be provided by the municipality to rebuild the bar counter. The township of Alfred and Plantagenet Recreation Department also hopes to collaborate with involved citizens to spearhead a fundraiser for the purchase of sound and lighting equipment to create a stage suitable for indoor performances.
“The central nature of the community centre makes it a perfect choice for programming for the entire township,” explained Manon Besner, Director of Parks and Recreation. ” The OTF grant will allow us to transform the centre into a welcoming environment for the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet Active Seniors Centre’s programming, including the addition of a pickleball court. In the long term, we also hope to convert it into a flexible space that can support event programming for shows, comedy nights, community dances, and more.”
“We are very grateful to receive this grant,” added Mayor Yves Laviolette. “We recognize the needs of the community and are working hard to meet expectations. A lot of effort will go into completing this project, but we are confident that in the near future we will be able to offer a gathering place in the heart of the community that will add life to the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet.”
The Alfred Community Centre will be closed for renovations starting in January 2026.
