(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / 4774344sean)(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / 4774344sean)
Chatham

CK Explores New Community Hub

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is looking into building a new "community hub" in Ridgetown.

Municipality administration was approached by the board of the Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre asking for support to build a new centre.

The Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre currently has over 500 members and is continuing to grow. The centre offers over 40 programs targeted to the 45 plus community, ranging from health clinics, fitness programs, arts and crafts, to community socials.

As community demand grows for these programs, the board is faced with a shortage of space.

The board is asking for help with development charges, reduction of property taxes, collaboration and financial assistance for the new centre. The senior centre has been actively raising funds for the construction of a new centre since being donated land intended for the site.

CK General Manager of Health and Family Services April Rietdyk describes the new centre as a one-stop shop.

"It really is a way of coming together where everyone provides services to the community in a way that it's centralized and in one place," explains Rietdyk.

Rietdyk says the municipality and the board are still in the early stages of research.

"We are just developing our business case, so we're putting some finalization on that [and] working with our older adult group as well. We will be bringing a report to council shortly that highlights Ridgetown in a much clearer picture for them," says Rietdyk.

Municipality administration has also been directed to do a review current facilities to look at potentially reducing the number of municipality owned and maintained buildings in Chatham-Kent, which currently has approximately 190.

Read More Local Stories