An expansion of the Sister Kennedy Centre in Fort Frances is now complete.
An official unveiling took place on Saturday.
Advisory Board Chair Debbie McTaggart says it provides them with an extra 3,600 square feet to work with.
“The new addition has a dedicated room for exercise that doesn’t disturb other events and vice versa. There’s limited setup and takedown required. There is a dedicated room for all the card games, and the tables are set up all the time,” says McTaggart.
“We have a pool, billiard, and shuffleboard room that is available all day long as our population ages. We have a full multi-use facility that is well-positioned for the future of Fort Francis and area. We have a center that will all be proud of.”
Sister Kennedy Centre billiard room, January 20, 2024. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting
Sister Kennedy Centre card room, January 20, 2024. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting
Sister Kennedy Centre meeting room, January 20, 2024. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting
The cost of the expansion comes in at just over $900,000.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund provided a grant of $466,125, with the town covering the difference.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas says town council saw value in the expansion.
He says more seniors are continuing to stay active and be a part of community life than ever before and need a place where they can utilize their skills and experience.
“Council realized that the Sister Kennedy Centre/Fort Frances Senior Centre was a key component in providing services for our seniors and that the services offered needed to be expanded to accommodate the growing number of active seniors,” says Hallikas.
“Although money is tight for all municipalities, including this one, council did not hesitate to allocate funds from its reserve to build this beautiful addition.”
Sister Kennedy Centre expansion grand opening, January 20, 2024. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting
The Sister Kennedy Centre opened over 40 years ago and is named after the woman who created the first drop-in centre for seniors and lobbied for its construction in the early 1980s.
