A $2.98 million renovation to Hepburn’s Heritage Common Community Centre will help the municipality save thousands of dollars in energy costs in the years to come.
On Wednesday, April 26, federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc announced Ottawa is contributing $2,381,621 to upgrade the lighting, windows, roof, doorways, and heating and cooling system of the former Bethany College building under the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.
The Town of Hepburn, meanwhile, is contributing $595,405 toward the project.
Hepburn Mayor Deidra Prosofsky said she’s thrilled the project was given the green light.
“This funding is essential to the long-term sustainability of the facility,” said Prosofsky. “It features specially-engineered design elements to lower energy consumption and reduce operating costs.
“Heritage Common will be the heart of our community by providing a space for residents of all ages to feel included and connected for years to come.”
The 40,000 square-foot Heritage Common building was the home of Bethany College until 2015, when the post-secondary institution was forced to discontinue operations due to declining enrollment. It was purchased by the town in 2021 for $470,000; with the goal of repurposing it to serve as a community centre for the town and surrounding region.
Hepburn Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Amanda Peters said the town council knew when it purchased the building two years ago that replacing the roof was a priority.
“The roof was in immediate need of extensive repairs to preserve the building,” said Peters. “We knew we’d have to invest in that right away. There was no avoiding it.
“But otherwise it’s a state-of-the-art facility, and we’re so fortunate to have been able to buy it at such a good price. To build something like that new would cost millions of dollars. It has a commercial kitchen, dormitories, a large gymnasium with a stage, banquet and meeting rooms, and office space.”
She said the federal grant allows the town to not only replace the roof, but also include energy-efficient upgrades that reduce the ongoing operating costs of the building.
“Two years ago, the estimate for the roof replacement alone was more than a million dollars,” said Peters. “Now, thanks to this grant, the town is able to fix the roof for just a little over $595,000; plus add in all the extra components.”
The overall project amounts to $2,977,026, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2024. It includes:
* Replacement of the roof with the addition of insulation,
* Replacement of windows with energy star rated units,
* Replacement of existing light fixtures with LED low energy consumption fixtures,
* The addition of solar panels to offset the cost of electricity,
* The addition of automatic door openers for the main entrance doors for accessibility,
“This grant provides substantial relief to the town to be able to operate the building in a more fiscally-responsible and environmentally-sustainable way going forward,” said Peters. “A building of more than 40,000 square feet is very expensive to operate, so incorporating the solar panels and other energy-efficient components is really important in keeping costs down.”
The building is available for rent for private functions such as weddings, family reunions and conferences. It currently has tenants that rent office space, as well as housing the non-profit Hepburn Cooperative Playschool and municipal recreation and cultural programs.
The Heritage Common building will also serve as an emergency shelter for displaced residents in the event of a natural disaster in Hepburn or other town in the region. In addition, it will house the municipality’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
The Heritage Common building’s gymnasium is used regularly by Hepburn School for athletic programming, and an agreement between the town and the Prairie Spirit School Division allows the facility to be used for larger tournaments.
A 30-space licensed childcare facility operated by a separate non-profit organization is located nearby in a separate building. Peters said the licensed childcare centre was able to establish its operation as a direct result of the town purchasing the larger building. It filled a void in the community because prior to that there was a lack of licensed, subsidized childcare spaces.
Peters said work on the roof replacement is already underway.
“It’s a very exciting project,” she said. “The building has a rich history in Hepburn, and it will continue to serve the community and the region for many years to come.”
Anyone interested in renting the facility for private functions is invited to call the Heritage Common office directly at 1-306-947-2180.