Ribbon-cutting ceremony heralds new lift, building expansion in accessibility project
October 1, 2017 — The congregation of NKUC and guests gathered following Sunday service to celebrate the completion of the church’s Canada 150 Accessibility Project.
The ribbon-cutting
ceremony and unveiling was a highlight of NKUC’s Canada 150 event, “A Celebration of Community.”
The $478,000 project represents the work of architects Ralph Caldwell and Yaron Walter, who found a way to retrofit a building constructed in 1975, with a lift and some modern amenities. Construction was overseen by Concord Projects Ltd.
On hand to participate in the ribbon-cutting were Ralph Caldwell, architect; Dan Gauthier of Concord Projects Ltd; The Hon. Cathy Cox, Minister of Culture; the Hon. Andrew Micklefield, MLA for Rossmere; North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty; and Richard Manley-Tannis, representing the United Church of Canada, Winnipeg Presbytery.
The goal of the project was to ensure the church building is accessible for the congregation as well as groups from the surrounding community who use and rent the facilities. In addition to worship and other events of the congregation, NKUC plays host to community groups involved with self-help and addiction recovery as well as a fitness program.
An automatic lift was installed to transport people between the Sanctuary on the upper level, the entrance on the mezzanine, and the hall on the lower level, providing better access for people of all ages with mobility issues.
The main lobby of the church was renovated and expanded as were the bathrooms in the lower hall, again with the aim of making facilities more accessible to the congregation and public at large.
Construction on the project was begun in the spring of 2017 following a year of planning and fundraising.
The project was successfully financed through a fund-raising driving, which received generous contributions from members of the congregation, several area businesses, the three levels of government, the Winnipeg Presbytery of the United Church of Winnipeg, the Cropo Foundation, the Winnipeg Foundation, and many other foundations and individuals.
North Kildonan United Church acknowledges the contributions of:
Government Funding:
Government of Canada (Enabling Accessibility): $50,000
Province of Manitoba (Community Places): $32,500
City of Winnipeg (CIGP): $37,500
Major Gifts:
United Church, Winnipeg Presbytery (CDI): $25,000
Cropo Founation: $20,000
Armin & Denis Martens Foundation: $20,000
Winnipeg Foundation: $15,000
Reimer Foundation: $10,000
David Johnston, Johnston Group: $10,000
Significant Donations:
Tom Bryk, Cambrian Credit Union
Larry Vickar, Vickar Cevrolet
Geoff & Regan Archambault
The Janzen Family, Homestead Manitoba Inc.
Buller Foundation
Douglas Pollard, Pollard Foundation
EH Price Limited
Steve Chipman, Birchwood Automotive Group
DS Distribution Services Ltd.
Barb Gamey, CEO Payworks
Star Building Products
Sean Phillips, All Weather Windows
Ralph & Dorothy Caldwell
The Estate of Margaret Punton
The Estate of Sophia Schau
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