The group behind the project to convert the former St. Joseph's Church in Leamington into a centre for homeless youth is over another hurdle.
Building Bridges has finalized the re-zoning needed to build a multi-storey apartment building, meant for short and long-term housing of young people getting back on their feet.
President George Bergen hopes to know by mid-July if they've been approved for a grant worth more than $1-million. The grant could see construction of the apartment building start in the fall and potentially open for September of 2018.
"As soon as funding comes in, we will start the second phase of the project which would be allowing 11 transitional and 13 apartments for long-term housing for us," says Bergen.
He adds a capital campaign is also underway meant to help raise money for the project.
Phase 1 design plans for The Bridge homeless youth centre in Leamington. (Photo courtesy George Bergen)
Bergen says the renovation of the former Church into the new youth centre — going by the name The Bridge — is on track for a September 1, 2017 opening. According to Bergen, the project so far is humming along quite nicely and seems to be pulling people together.
"A lot of the local roofing companies in town actually united instead of competed and did the whole roof on a Saturday morning," says Bergen. "So we have a brand new metal roof on top of The Bridge already, so that was really cool to see how it's uniting different members of our community."
As anyone who has gone through a major renovation knows — there are always unwelcome surprises.
"I don't know if there's been a major set back, but some of the costs that we were originally [estimating] when we started the process before we actually had possession of the place — something like replacing the flooring; we were hoping not to, but once you pull out all the pews and how they were mounted, we have to redo the whole floor," says Bergen.
The group has already received a $530,000 Ontario Trillium grant, paid out over the next three years, which will in part go towards hiring a project manager and a youth engagement worker.
Phase 2 design plans for The Bridge homeless youth centre in Leamington. (Photo courtesy George Bergen)