Muslim association to convert former Kergan Centre into mosque
BUILDING PURCHASED FROM CITY OF LETHBRIDGE
The Lethbridge Muslim Association is looking forward to a bigger home now that it’s purchased the old Bill Kergan Centre from the City of Lethbridge.
The building was purchased for $575,000 and will eventually become the Muslim Association’s new mosque.
The land sale of 207 13 St. N. was approved at Monday’s city council meeting. The building, which formerly housed the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association, has been vacant since the SAEA moved to its new location on 6 Avenue South last year.
“Our Muslim community has been growing very fast for the past couple of years,” said Dr. Naji Saleh of the Lethbridge Muslim Association.
Their current location on 13 Street and 6 Avenue South is getting “very crowded,” he said. “Last year we had a big influx of Syrian refugees, so we could not fit them in there.”
On Fridays they have a big prayer gathering and there isn’t enough capacity for everyone. There is also no parking space, so they felt like they were bothering neighbouring residents.
“We thought about getting a bigger space. We’ve been thinking about it for a few years. This came as an opportunity.”
The Lethbridge Muslim Association will take possession of the building in September. It is not yet known when they will move in, as there are some renovations to be done.
“We are planning to use it for all our social activities, our gatherings, our prayers,” said Saleh. “We rent lots of halls to do some of our social activities. Even for teaching kids at Sunday school. I think this is a bigger space that’s good, it fits everyone.”
He said they don’t have a specific plan yet for the current building, but they won’t be running a second centre.
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