Parc-Extension, is inching closer to realizing a long-awaited dream: the construction of a new community centre that promises to reshape local life.
The idea was born during a Neighbourhood Plan meeting in October 2019, when community representatives rallied around the vision of a major multi-purpose facility. Just two months later, a working group of 22 members was formed to begin laying the groundwork for what would become known as the New Community Centre (NCC).
From the start, the NCC was envisioned not just as another public building, but as an accessible hub offering a wide range of services—an inclusive place where residents of all ages could meet, learn, exchange ideas, and participate in civic life.
From pause to renewal
Momentum slowed in 2020 when the pandemic halted consultations. But by July 2022, discussions had resumed, and by December that year the project had reached the federal level. Representatives met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office to explore funding through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.
The following January, with a tight deadline looming for the BCVI funding program, a new working group was created to move quickly. Tasks ranged from coordinating architectural and energy studies to drafting budgets, searching for financial partners, and keeping residents informed of progress. The application was filed on time, but the process also highlighted just how complex the project would be.
Broadening participation
By early 2023, the working group expanded to bring in more voices. Meetings with the borough opened discussions on land availability and additional funding streams. A technical and functional program was developed, along with a draft business plan.
On June 27, 2023, the Table de Quartier held a public assembly that brought nearly 60 stakeholders together. It was more than an update—it was a collective reflection on what the NCC should represent. Participants debated the centre’s values, the activities it should host, and how it could best serve residents.
The shared vision that emerged was ambitious: by 2026, Parc-Extension would have a Carrefour de services diversifiés, a true crossroads of community life. This “multi-generational parents’ home,” as organizers described it, would be rooted in inclusion, civic engagement, and social development.
Green, accessible, and resilient
Plans for the three-storey building place sustainability and accessibility at the heart of the design. The NCC will meet carbon-neutral standards, using geothermal air conditioning and a roof designed to combat heat islands. Its concrete structure will help maintain interior temperatures during power outages, ensuring resilience in a changing climate.
Accessibility features are also central. The building will be designed for people with reduced mobility, visual impairments, and other disabilities, ensuring that all residents can benefit equally from its programs. Located near Howard Park and well served by public transit, the NCC aims to be an open and welcoming space for every corner of the neighbourhood.
Challenges ahead
Despite strong community momentum, the road ahead remains complex. The project is still awaiting confirmation of federal funding, and additional financing opportunities must be secured. Finding an available site has been another challenge, given Parc-Extension’s density and limited land options. At the same time, local organizations in need of relocation are looking to the NCC for solutions, creating a delicate balancing act between short-term needs and long-term planning.
Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, lies in coordinating the many players involved—residents, non-profits, the borough, and potential funders—each with their own priorities. Yet the consultations so far have shown a willingness to compromise and collaborate in the interest of the greater good.
Looking ahead
The NCC is more than a building project; it represents a shift in how Parc-Extension sees itself. For a neighbourhood often defined by its challenges—crowded housing, limited green space, and economic hardship—the prospect of a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive community hub is a statement of optimism.
If funding and land can be secured, construction could move forward in time to welcome residents by 2026. For now, the community continues to refine its vision, determined to turn the NCC from an ambitious plan into a cornerstone of neighbourhood life.
