New Ramp Graces The Grace Centre

Oct 10, 2013

Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the federal government's Enabling/Accessibility Fund, clients and the community at large who use wheelchairs can now access the main entrance at the Southern Frontenac Community Services' Grace Centre via an extensive new ramp, which was officially opened on September 29.

The SFCSC will have to raise another $20,000 to cover its total cost. Kepler Bell Contracting built the ramp with the help of Colbourne and Kembel Architects Inc. Prior to its construction those in wheelchairs had to enter the center through the rear entrance from a smaller ramp and take an elevator in order to access the main hall. 

Joan Cameron, board chair at SFCSC, said that using the rear access entrance was often cumbersome and time consuming, especially when larger events were being held in the hall. “We always wanted to have a ramp at the center's main entrance but did not have the funds to build one. This grant thankfully allowed us to get it done.”

The SFCSC staff provide a number of programs and activities to their clients along with their partners in the community and currently the hall is used for Yoga, Tai Chi, Girl Guides and Brownies, and the VON's Smart exercise program as well as for special events and fundraisers. SFCSC's executive director David Townsend also spoke at the ceremony and thanked all involved, including their 160+ volunteers. He stressed that the center's recent new additions were all made possible through grants from Green Shield Canada and Home Depot Canada and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy of the United Way of Simcoe County.