May 2nd marked the official opening of the Brentwood Community Resource Centre. The ribbon cutting ceremony attracted politicians from three levels of government, funders, donors and the partner organizations who will operate programs and services from the Centre.
The new resource centre was developed as part of the City of Burnaby’s Bonus Density Program, which allows developers to use additional space in return for providing the city with spaces designated for community use. While owned by the city, the Centre was built and outfitted by Embassy Development Corp. in exchange for receiving additional density at its Vantage hi-rise condo project. The city called for applications in 2012 to occupy the space (at a reduced rate) and was awarded to the partnership consisting of MOSAIC, Burnaby Community Services, Burnaby Meals on Wheels and the YMCA of Greater Vancouver who together will operate a variety of services for many sectors of the community.
The 6,100 square foot facility is centrally located in the heart of Brentwood Town Centre, on the Southwest corner of Lougheed and Rosser, and the two-storey building features walls of windows which make the interior spaces bright and inviting. In addition to work and meeting spaces on the first floor, the upper floor features an attractive, large and modern kitchen which will host food-related programs, and which community groups can access. Programs operating out of the new centre include: Baby and Me programs; Drop in Playtime for families with kids; conversation clubs and ESL classes, settlement workshops, Food Skills for Families and community kitchens, Mahjong for seniors, and more.
Council Members from the City of Burnaby, and Mayor Derek Corrigan led the speakers at the event as they described the process leading up to the launch, and acknowledged those who contributed greatly to the completion of the new centre. Sherman Chan, Director of Settlement and Family Services for MOSAIC, emceed the event, and Executive Director Eyob Naizghi spoke on behalf of MOSAIC, thanking the city council for its leadership in building communities and recognizing the great support it has provided to non-profit organizations. “Sherman (Chan) and our staff worked with the partners here to bring this about. It’s truly a partnership – an innovative community hub, founded by a commitment to the community and integrating the community around the centre,” said Eyob Naizghi, who also commented that over 50 percent of MOSAIC’s services are located in Burnaby.
MOSAIC acknowledges the City of Burnaby for its support.
