After structural issues forced the closure of the Wynndel Community Centre, local volunteers are preparing to improve its backup facility – the Wynndel Arts Centre.
A cornerstone of the Creston Valley community since the 1950s, the community centre was closed in February due to structural concerns, effectively halting all events and rental income.
In response, the Wynndel Community Centre Committee has launched a fundraising campaign to fulfill the renovation grant obligations for the smaller Wynndel Arts Centre located behind the main hall.
“The Arts Centre is an older building. It’s only been a three-season building, but we did receive a grant to do energy upgrades which will allow year round use,” said Carol Truman, a volunteer with the committee.
“It’s a suitable space for meetings, birthday parties and other small gatherings and could be generating a small amount of income.”
The renovation project will include replacing insulation in the walls and roof and replacing the existing wood siding with new fire-resistant siding.
Once completed, the Arts Centre will serve as a hub for smaller events, meetings and planning for the future of the community centre.
The committee needs to raise $17,000 to cover what the grant does not. The start and completion date for renovations is expected to be firmed up very shortly.
The group hopes to have renovations finished ahead of the fall fundraiser Wynndel Days, scheduled for Sept. 19 and 20.
The two-day event will feature entertainment, a silent auction and community connection.
“We’re quite excited about this event. We have set the date for a Friday and a Saturday, and the focus will be on connecting our community and fundraising,” added Ms. Truman.
Wynndel Days schedule
The lineup for Friday, September 19 includes the following activities:
- Socializing, games and Afternoon Tea
- Classic cars, music and dunk tank
- Highland Dancers performance
- Silent auction and sweepstake entry
- Coffee House in the evening (featuring local performers)
For the Saturday, Ms. Truman says events will be family focused, for all ages.
Attendees can expect to see the following events:
- Family Day from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sack races, cornhole, and other kids’ contests
- Face painting, photo booth, and craft tables
- Arcade games and possibly horses on-site
- Food trucks, silent auction, and a dunk tank
The committee hopes the community will come out to support the effort, with Ms. Truman saying they need all the help they can get.
“There’s going to be a lot of additional costs just to actually get another centre up and running – from planning and architect to engineering consultation and all the rest of that. So any additional monies will be going to that renovation fund as well,” she said.
“We also need volunteers. We would love to have our community come out and support this event, and we’d love to have them participate in other endeavours that we are doing right now.”
In addition to Wynndel Days, the committee is running a Change for Change campaign. Donation boxes have been placed at several local businesses, and online donations can be made via the Wynndel Community Centre’s website.
More information on how to get involved can be found here.
Interested individuals can also email [email protected], or contact Carol Truman directly at 604-220-3208.
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