What is this project about?
The Cranbrook Community Centre was built in 1950. The facility is 30 feet by 66 feet in size. The Centre needs attention to bring the facility back to its former days of glory. The Centre has a lower space and has access to a basic kitchen. The upstairs layout includes hall space and a stage.
The L.E.A.F. project consists of a rejuvenation of the facility, including interior painting of downstairs walls, ceiling and kitchen cupboards, new flooring in the downstairs hall and kitchen and refurbished flooring in the upstairs hall. The project also includes the installation of new energy efficient doors in the upstairs interior.
The Committee, along with the Municipality of Huron East have recently committed to a project consisting of a revamped accessible washroom and energy efficient windows for the facility. The Committee and Municipality have pledged funds to the washroom and window project and are strapped to commit to further improvements that are very much needed.
Why is this project important to the community?
You can feel the history as you walk into the Cranbrook Community Centre. The laughter and joy of those before us permeate the Centre walls. Local artist’s paintings of area landscapes grace the building, along with several tributes to past dedicated volunteers displayed throughout. Tributes include the 1955 Cranbrook Centennial Celebration Plaque honouring the Pioneers of Cranbrook and a 1950 By-law from the Township of Grey establishing the Cranbrook Community Centre and volunteers. A Community fundraising quilt is displayed with residents donating funds to have their name embroidered on the quilt with funds donated to the war effort. The upkeep of the Centre has been lacking with several circumstances contributing to this decline such as COVID19 and lower Committee involvement.
The Committee is rejuvenated with members that want to make the Centre the hub of Cranbrook as it was in the past. Building on the dedication and hard work of community volunteers, the Committee feels that now is the time to bring the energy back into the Centre and provide a facility that the community can have pride in. The population of Cranbrook is growing with a new subdivision and young families moving into the area. A more inviting Centre will attract these new residents along with the rest of the community to experience new memories and events here.
