New Life evolving in downtown Port Colborne
“What’s happening at King and Charlotte?”
That’s the question Rosemary Armstrong, one of the committee members of the New Life in the City project, has said people keep asking of the plot of land at the downtown intersection in Port Colborne.
What’s happening there actually involves more than just that corner plot of land — it also involves two of the buildings beside the site and is something that has been in the works for a few years now.
New Life in the City is a project that was started by St. James and St. Brendan Anglican Church, also on Charlotte Street.
Rev. Robert Hurkmans said the church wanted to do something with the otherwise unsightly plot of land and began working out a plan. That plan now involves a community park on the corner lot and the buildings being renovated into an art space and a youth outreach ministry of sorts.
“We really want to make our community a better place,” said Hurkmans.
The progression of the project has been slower than anticipated, but he said it’s best to do it right than to do it fast. There is a lot of behind the scenes work going on.
Between planning and fundraising, things are getting done to transform the space. The youth outreach building has been under renovation for a few months and is nearing completion, for instance.
The total value of the project is about $ 550,000. Funds to pay for it are being raised simultaneously through the church, community members and local businesses plus grants.
Committeemember BillArmstrong said the community is stepping up to the plate. Whether by in- kind donations and work being offered or monetary donations, the project is nearly halfway funded.
Having the community involved is something that’s been important from the beginning.
“We don’t want it to be just a church project, but a community project,” Hurkmans said.
Having the community be able to contribute to the project, they feel, will help with the space’s longevity. When people have a hand in something, they’re more apt to take care of it and to use it.
Contributions can be memorialized in things such as paving stones that will be laid on the property. Hurkmans explained these are granite stones with the names of the donors or someone they’ve dedicated it to carved into the surface to last for years.
More information, how to donate and sneak peeks at what’s planned can be found at kingand-charlotte. ca. Hurkmans said people are welcome to get in touch with the church to find out more and how they can be involved. lbarton@ postmedia. com twitter. com/ LBartonTribune