On May 23rd, the ground breaking ceremony at the site of MOSAIC’s future home took place in Vancouver’s Collingwood neighbourhood. The Wall Centre – Central Park, located at Boundary and Vanness, will become the new home of MOSAIC’s administrative offices in 2017, and also accommodate many of the organizations programs and services within the 23,000 square foot space in Tower One of the development.Also celebrating the occasion was Collingwood Neighborhood House who will operate from a new 10,000 square foot space from Tower Three of the same complex.The event began at 10:30 am with a colourful and noisy procession from the current site of Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) on Joyce Street, to the construction site of Wall Centre – Central Park. A marching band, veterans, stilt walkers and celebrants from both organizations joined the walk which attracted many local residents and onlookers.Mayor Gregor Robertson presided at the event as the City of Vancouver are officially the landlords for both new facilities. Other politicians at the event included Emcee and City Councillor Kerry Jang, Vancouver Kingsway MLA Adrian Dix, and Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies. MOSAIC Board Chair Dr. Mehran Kiai thanked Mayor Robertson and the City of Vancouver for the new facility lease, saying that it has been a 10-year process to find this new space. Dr. Kiai also acknowledged the efforts of MOSAIC’s Space Committee for their work in securing the new space.Rounding out the roster of speakers was Bruno Wall from the Wall Corporation; Julie Linkletter, CNH Board President; Chris Taulu, Executive Director for Collingwood Community Policing Centre; and Najia Elacel, Collingwood resident.The ceremony concluded with the ground breaking ritual of the dignitaries and organization VIPs shoveling dirt at the site.
