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Summer 2018
ABBOTTSFIELD RECREATION CENTRE
Neighbourhood recreation centres are places where vital and unique programming can be offered to suit the needs of a specific population and foster a strong sense of community. This is what the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre (ARC) offers to Beverly. In 1993 the former St. Sophia Catholic School was about to be decommissioned when some community residents lobbied the Catholic School Board to leave part of the facility on site for use by the community. A meeting was held to discuss possible uses for the facility and the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre Society was formed. The Board began to form partnerships with various organizations offering programs and invited them to use the space for those activities. It didn’t take long for organizations to recognize that this was a great space to provide a variety of different programs to the community. As a result the building was often booked from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. during the week and programs for all ages were offered. The space was also available on weekends for residents to use for private events such as birthday parties, weddings, funerals, dances, etc. The Catholic School Board eventually declared the site surplus and the City purchased the land and the building and became the new landlords for the ARC Society. The old ARC was made up of portables and a Quonset hut that was used as the gymnasium. While the building was a huge asset to the community it was aging and the cost of maintaining is was enormous. The Society had a $1.00 a year lease with both the School Board and the City but was responsible for all maintenance and upkeep. Many volunteer hours went into keeping the building operational but eventually it became clear that a new building would be needed. The ARC Board of Directors had begun exploring what it would be involved in building a new rec centre and it soon became apparent it would be a daunting task. Fortunately for the community the City of Edmonton stepped up and advised they would replace the building. Two years of design and planning began and finally in 2014 the brand new Abbottsfield Recreation Centre was unveiled to the community at a wonderful celebration. The new building is still used every day from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. during the week by organization providing programs for residents age 0 – 100 and is still available for individuals or groups to rent on the weekend for private events
WE NEED YOU! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CASINO
Community News
This publication is a joint project of the Beverly Towne Community Development Society, Beverly Business Association, Beverly Heights and Beacon Heights Community Leagues and Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions for future articles, please contact Colleen Fidler at 780 477-6333.
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also. If you are looking to rent the facility, or if you have any questions about programs offered a Thursday free lunch for the community Star Country Jam & Dance – Live music, dancquick phone call to Ashley, Facility Manager, at ing and food, adults only 780 479-5895 will get you the answers you need. Karaoke – Adults The ARC Society does not provide programs, Community Events – Kids Gift Shoppe, turkey it depends on other groups to do that, but it is bingo, Winter Wonderland, movie day, Blast Off responsible for all costs related to the building. To Summer, community field trips, adult field Many people don’t realize the cost of operating a building that large. While the City of Edmonton trips, game night, Multicultural Day. Other organizations and groups offering prois responsible for major repairs to the building grams at the ARC include: the Society is responsible for things like utilities, Rising Youth Program – City of Edmonton – staff, equipment, cleaning supplies, small repairs and painting and much more. These costs add up Sports and field trips for ages 13 – 17 Abbottsfield Senior Stop In Centre – Coffee, to over $10,000 a month. games and socializing The ARC Society Board is always looking for WeCan Food Basket – Low cost groceries. Pick ways to fundraise the monies needed to keep the building running. One of our big fundraisers is up at ARC the third Thursday of the month. Abbottsfield Youth Project – Sports, summer the Haunted Hall. This year the event will be programs and special events, ages 6 – 15 open to the public October 25 and 26 from 6 – 10 Tegler Centre – Community events p.m. and October 27 from 5 – 10 p.m. This is a Learning Centre – Meeting space and events huge event and takes many volunteers to set up Edmonton Sports & Social Club – Basketball and tear down. If you would like to volunteer to Narcotics Anonymous help set up will take place October 19 – 24 from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and tear down is October 28 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you can donate a hour or two of your time please contact Ashley at 780 479-5895. If you haven’t stopped by and visited the new building we encourage you to do so. The following is a list of programs offered during the week by Beverly Towne Community Development Society and the Candora Society. Alpha Kidz – After school and summer program, ages 5 – 12 Youth Gym – Drop in sports program, ages 12 – 18 Night Ball – Drop in late night basketball, ages 15+ Crawlers & Cruisers Too (CACToo) – ages 0 – 3 plus parent CAC Preschool – Ages 3 – 6 Family Active Living – Ages 0 – 6 plus parent Yoga – Adults The Abbottsfield Recreation Centre has been a mainstay in the Women’s Savings Group – Beverly community since 1993 when the formation of the centre Partner with Empower U took place. The building was replaced in 2014 and serves Beverly Community Lunch – Every
The Beverly Towne Community Development Society is having a casino on Wednesday, August 29 and Thursday August 30, 2018 at the Century Casino. All funds raised from our casino are used to continue operating our free children and youth programs, Alpha Kidz and Youth Options. We need volunteers for all shifts and positions. If you are able to help please contact Colleen at 780 477-6333.
in a variety of ways.