The Beaver Valley Community Centre property has been chosen as the possible location of a potential new home for Events For Life.
At a special committee of the whole meeting on July 10, The Blue Mountains council voted unanimously to explore entering into an agreement with Events For Life to build a municipal capital facility at the arena property that would become the organization’s new permanent home.
The committee of the whole decision will come to council’s regular meeting on July 15 for approval.
A municipal capital facility would see Events For Life responsible for the design, construction and financing of the building that would be located on land that the town would continue to own. Events For Life would operate the facility through an agreement with the town.
At the meeting, town staff presented a report that outlined five potential locations to be considered for the Events For Life project.
However, before staff presented the report, Events of Life board of directors chair Kevin Whyte made a presentation to council expressing the organization’s support and preference for the Beaver Valley Community Centre location.
Whyte said in working with staff the arena site emerged as a potential possibility that the group had not previously considered. Events For Life is looking for a secure, safe and centrally located place for its new building. The group first approached the town in August 2023 about a possible land donation for the project. The organization currently operates at two different locations, one of which is privately owned and won’t be available in the future.
Initially, Events For Life thought they would need a larger piece of land to accommodate parking, recreational facilities and outdoor space for the new building.
“There are a whole bunch of reasons why it works so well and we believe it is going to fit our needs,” said Whyte. “The Beaver Valley Community Centre lot is perfect for us. It is a great community location. It allows us to be very close to the arena cafe, which we hope to be running for many, many years.”
Whyte said the arena location has ample parking, has outdoor space, is close to downtown, has recreational facilities the group uses and is close to Moreau Park.
“It fits the needs we are looking for,” said Whyte, who said the organization will be conducting a capital fundraising drive for the project.
The preliminary idea would be to use a piece of the property that faces Elma Street for the project. The area currently has gardens located on it, which would be relocated elsewhere on the property. Whyte said, should the project proceed, Events For Life would like to participate in the gardening activities. Whyte also said the plan would be for the facility to be available to the public for meeting space when it is not being used by Events For Life.
Ryan Gibbons, the town’s director of community services, said the project is in the early preliminary stages. He said with council’s direction on the location, town staff can now proceed to draw up a legal agreement with Events For Life for the project and use of the property and Events For Life can begin the design process. Gibbons also said his department would be working with the town’s communications team to conduct public engagement about the project.
“We want to commence with as much as we can, as soon as possible,” said Gibbons.
Members of council all expressed support for the potential project.
“I think this is wonderful,” said Coun. Gail Ardiel, who encouraged Events For Life to seek out grants for the project and to keep council informed of its plans.
Events for Life currently operates out of two locations: Beaver Creek Farms and Blue Mountain Community Church. The organization provides support to adults with intellectual disabilities and operates a successful day program. Events for Life also operates a cafe at the Beaver Valley Community Centre during the winter months.
