WEYBURN – The joint new family resource centre for the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division and the Family Place is progressing along, board trustees heard in an update on Wednesday.
The initial startup funding of $215,000 was received from the province for the project, with the centre to be named the Weyburn Early Years Family Resource Centre, said Terry Jordens, superintendent of student services and assessments for Holy Family, in her report.
The next big step is the building of the addition to the Family Place’s new building, in the former Dance Zone building on McLelland Street, and interior renovations such as the flooring, lighting, plumbing and painting. The ground-breaking for the addition is expected to be in early October.
The implementation funding will be paying for this work, said Jordens, and if any funds are left over, they will be put towards new play equipment for the facility.
“Right now, we’re working with the ministry to become operational, and we’re working on the details for that,” she added.
A meeting with the stakeholders was held on Tuesday with Holy Family and the Family Place, including Southeast Cornerstone School Division, the City of Weyburn, Social Services, Weyburn Police Service, St. Michael School, the Weyburn Public Library and Envision Counselling, among others.
Jordens noted these stakeholders shared what needs they have or are seeing in the community, with a view to having some of those needs met with programs or services in the new family resource centre.
Holy Family and the Family Place are also connecting with similar facilities that have started up in other communities, particularly in Moose Jaw and North Battleford, and with a group in Swift Current also planning to open a facility similar to Weyburn’s, said Jordens.
“It’s helpful to know what the needs are,” she said.
This community centre will focus on all families with young children to provide free, flexible programming that builds relationships between caregivers and children. The four pillars of Early Years Family Resource Centres are early learning, parenting education, family wellness and support, and information and referrals.
