“Day of Caring” at the new Grace Centre in Sydenham

Jun 16, 2011

Photo: Day of Caring team (in green) at the SFCSC's new Grace Centre with the SFCSC's executive director David Townsend and fundraising chair Jennifer Linton

On June 10, a team of 10 green T-shirted employees from Bombardier Systems of Kingston descended on Southern Frontenac Community Services’ (SFCSC) new Grace Centre in Sydenham, which was formerly Grace United Church, to assist with the renovations there. It was the first time that the United Way's annual Day of Caring took place in South Frontenac.

The Day of Caring is a project that connects volunteers from area-based businesses with community groups in need. Marie Mackenzie, the campaign director of the United Way of KFL&A, was at the Grace Centre for the Day of Caring and said, “We're so happy to be able to be offering the Day of Caring program here in South Frontenac. We like to be as inclusive as we can and of course anything we can do to help the non-profit agencies in the area is always a good thing.” The Bombardier team spent five hours sanding, staining, painting and tending to the grounds and gardens at the building, which SFCSC purchased 13 months ago. The organization’s executive director, David Townsend, estimates that renovating the centre will cost a total of $350,000.

The renovation project began after an on-site sale, at which buyers purchased much of the original furnishings in the 150-year-old church, including the pews. The project has been broken down into four main phases.

Phase one, which will be completed by the end of July, will include removing the church steeple, and replacing and upgrading the septic system, kitchen facilities and the kitchen’s fire suppression system.

Phase two, which is to be completed in December 2011, will include converting the former church sanctuary into a 1200 square foot gymnasium to facilitate the SFCSC's new partnership with the Kingston YMCA and the Kingston Seniors’ Association to offer various seniors activities and fitness programs. New offices and a lunch area will also be built where the church’s former altar sat.

Phase three will include replacing the former electric heating system with a hot water boiler system; making the entire building wheel chair accessible; upgrading the parking lot; and outfitting the offices with new modular office furniture and equipment. The final phase, which is projected to take place in five to seven years, will include the construction of a new building on the one-acre lot adjacent to the church, which will house other community groups and agencies. “Ideally we'd love to build an admin wing where we could house all of the agencies in the surrounding area”, Townsend said.

Presently SFCSC runs its services from two separate locations, and Townsend highlighted the pluses of acquiring the new, larger space. “We have outgrown both of our facilities in Harrowsmith and Sydenham and the new building will not only allow us to house and deliver all of programs from one building, but will also provide us with a much-needed opportunity for growth. We can now look at creating new programs like the hot meals and the diners club programs. We are also hoping to be able to offer a permanent home to the Sydenham Lions Club as well,” he said. He also pointed out that the main gymnasium section of the centre will offer a large community space for groups or individuals wishing to hold special fundraisers or community events.

He emphasized that the new centre, once it is paid for, will save the SFCSC money since they will be operating from a single facility that they will own outright.

However, as expected, the new centre also has its challenges. “The biggest challenge by far will be raising the $350,000 for the project in the next two years,” Townsend said. That figure is based on the quotes that he has received on the renovations to date. The SFCSC regularly raises $100,000 a year through various fundraising events and in an effort to increase that amount over the next two years the organization has hired Katharine O'Hara as a new fund development coordinator. “She will be working with the community to develop individual gifts and sponsorship opportunities to support the project.”

Townsend admits that he hesitated at first about acquiring the former church, but said after doing the research he understands the huge overall benefit. “Basically we are getting a building that would cost $2 to 2.5 million to build new for a mere 15% of that price. I also feel that raising the money in this community is very achievable, especially understanding the benefit to the community as a whole. The community will not only be able to benefit by having all of our service and programs located under one roof but will also have a facility that they can also use for their own purposes. When you look at it overall, it's a win for us, a win for the seniors, a win for the community, and a win for continued growth in South Frontenac.”

Individuals interested in viewing the new facility are invited to attend the SFCSC's Annual General Meeting at the new Centre on June 22 at 8:00 AM. A continental breakfast will be served at 7:30 AM followed by the meeting and a tour and talk about the new facility.