What $5.3M in funding for Bradford's future Community Hub means financially, socially, environmentally

Canadian government invests in Bradford's economy to help 'retrofit' old building for new purpose

Simcoe.com
Nov. 1, 2022
Aileen Zangouei

The future Community Hub in Bradford West Gwillimbury is being provided with over $5.3 million in funding by the federal government's Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.

The unused elementary school (St. Mary's School) located at 123 Moore St. was purchased by the town of Bradford with a vision to transform it into a centralized community and social service hub.

The $5.3 million in funding to "retrofit" the building was announced on Oct. 28, and according to Tony Van Bynen, MP of Newmarket-Aurora, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities, "The retrofits to this unused elementary school will reduce operational costs and GHG emissions while also providing an easily accessible community centre for the residents of Bradford West Gwillimbury."

According to the town's media release, the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program is an integral part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, providing $1.5 billion over five years toward green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada.

Bradford's future Community Hub will allow the Helping Hand Food Bank to move into a much-needed larger facility, as well as give other local not-for-profit organizations the opportunity to be under one roof to offer residents important services.

"This multi-purpose facility will be a welcoming, inclusive place for vulnerable community members to go when they need a helping hand. It will contribute to building a better, more equal community," the town's media release states.

"We are honoured to be selected as one of the recipients of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program,” Mayor Rob Keffer said.

"As one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada, we have and will continue to experience an increased demand for community services, including our local Helping Hand Food Bank. This significant contribution toward Bradford West Gwillimbury’s future Community Hub will support the revitalization of this 28,000-square-foot building into a centralized community and social service hub that all residents can enjoy."

The town will transform the former school by upgrading the infrastructure and equipment with energy-efficient alternatives, redoing the building envelope, increasing wall insulation, installing a new roof with insulation and putting in high-quality energy-saving windows.

The town estimates that these improvements will reduce the facility's energy consumption by 67 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 83 tonnes every year.

Ward 2 Councillor Jonathan Scott provided a breakdown on what this funding ultimately means for the town, the Community Hub and residents:

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FINANCIALLY?

"It means we are getting a 28,000-square-foot community centre, which would cost over $30 million to build brand-new, for $12 million, and nearly half that amount is now being paid by the federal government, not by our local tax base. Financially, this is some of the best value for money we've ever seen."

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN SOCIALLY?

"It means we are getting a central hub for services, including 1,000 of our neighbours and hundreds of volunteers who use and run the Bradford Helping Hand Food Bank, as well as new meeting spaces, a commercial kitchen and parkland in the older end of town.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ENVIRONMENTALLY?

"It means we are upgrading the infrastructure and equipment with energy-efficient alternatives, increasing wall insulation, installing a new roof with insulation and putting in high-quality energy-saving windows. These improvements will reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 67.6 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 83 tonnes annually. That's huge for our planet."