Donor wall recognizes community support for new CMHA Swift Current building
mliebenberg@prairiepost.com
A donor recognition wall inside the new building of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Swift Current branch will serve as a permanent reminder of the community support for the project that provided the organization with a new home.
An unveiling event was held on May 12 to thank the many organizations and individuals for their contributions to the CMHA Swift Current Cash for Construction campaign.
“Our donor recognition event was really to thank the individuals and businesses that contributed to the building that we're in right now,” CMHA Swift Current Executive Director Todd Vallee said. “This building wouldn't have happened without those contributions. It was just one of the ways that we wanted to thank the business community and the community at large, because not only did we have businesses and organizations step up, but we also had individuals and families that gave as well. We're just very thankful, because they are the real reason why we're able to make this a reality.”
He noted that over $910,000 in donations were made towards the construction campaign and there were also contributions in kind.
“You'll see a few names in there that contributed in kind,” he said. “There were a few projects that we singled out that we were accepting donations in kind. Most of what we were asking for were monetary donations to build with as we saw fit and our contractors saw fit. But there were a few things like choosing the colour schemes and the flooring and things like that that were done in kind or part of the donor wall.”
The donor wall presents the names of organizations and individuals according to the different contribution categories of the Cash for Construction campaign. The four categories are the benefactors circle (from $25,000 and up), advocates (from $10,000 and up), supporters (from $5,000 and up) and friends (from $500 and up).
“The Cash for Construction campaign was something that was pieced together over months when we decided that we were purchasing this land and that we needed some help from the community and the business community,” he said. “So there is quite a bit of range, but I can't stress enough how every single contribution really helped put us over the line for this project and made it a reality.”
The success of this campaign made it possible to conclude the construction project without the funds from the sale of the former CMHA building in Swift Current, which is still available for sale.
“Our Cash for Construction campaign was so successful that we were able to pay all of our contracts out on this building,” he said. “You won't see many fancy finishing touches here just yet, because of that. We have not sold the old building and we're being cognizant of that. There are a few things that we'd like to tie up here to make it feel more like home. We do have some yard work that hasn't happened just yet and a few other things within the building, but I am proud to say that we don't have any outstanding bills for any of the construction that happened here.”
Plaques were presented to organizations and individuals during the unveiling event for the donor recognition wall as a memento of their support. The inscription on each plaque states “Forever grateful for your contribution to help build our new home.”
An important goal during the construction of the building was to use local contractors and to purchase materials locally wherever possible. It includes the design and installation of the donor wall as well as the plaques.
“There are about a handful of things in this building that were not sourced or purchased locally in a million-dollar build,” he noted. “That's something that we're really proud of here. We felt that was very important, because of the support that we had from the community and the business community.”
The new building is located at 28 5th Ave. NE near Swift Current's downtown area. An event to celebrate its official opening took place in September 2022. The additional space and design of the new building on a single level provides sufficient room for a variety of activities to take place in dedicated areas. The limited space in the previous building had to be used for multiple purposes, which was not practical or convenient when various activities had to be accommodated.
There is a boardroom in the new building, which did not exist in the previous one. The new facility includes a music room, an exercise room with workout equipment, and a library. There is also a large and modern kitchen with sufficient storage space and a walk-in freezer.
“Our programming definitely touches on what we have in our spaces, but you'll find people here reading or doing puzzles, accessing the internet on our computers,” he said. “Our members do make really great use of the space. It's not that we didn't see that at our own old facility, but the number of members who come early, stay late or just hang out, because it's a really nice, accessible space to do that. It's a safe space and we've heard from our membership that they're just really excited for our new home”
Vallee mentioned that accessibility of the single-level building is a major benefit to the organization and to individuals with mobility issues.
“We have had people with mobility issues really enjoy the space and the programming here, because it really was a challenge in the old space,” he said.
He added that the organization of the building, the configuration of the rooms and the space really lends itself to operating different programs at the same time and offer the clubhouse model. The CMHA Swift
Current branch currently provides services to over 80 referred members.
“We feel those numbers are probably only going to climb and our programs are going to be accessed by more people,” he said. “Our staff is really focused on getting our referred membership involved in our programming. We want people to access the programming and to give it a try, whether it's educational, social or some type of physical activity. We feel that social interaction, physical activity and the education piece just really creates this whole movement towards mental health for our members and advocating for it in our community.”