South Gate Raises $750,000 for Upcoming Expansion

Friday, 25 March 2022 05:16

The South Gate Centre is looking to raise $1.5 million for an upcoming expansion and it has already raised $750,000.

WOODSTOCK - South Gate Centre has raised $750,000 for its expansion.

Woodstock City Council and City staff have included the $6.5 expansion in the 2023 Capital budget.

Fundraising Chair David Hilderley says part of that deal, though was for the Centre to raise $1 million on its own.

"Our overall goal is $1.5 million because we would be using the half million for the purchase of equipment and furniture to carry out our business model."

Hilderley says they had their launch on Wednesday.

"We had our long overdue launch at South Gate Centre, around 70 people attended, including two our big donors, along with City councillors, City staff, our membership committee and lot of folks from South Gate Centre."

Hilderley says a lot of people have donated, with two stand out donors including the Dr. Leonard Reeves Foundation and the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company. Ricardo DeSouza with TMMC says they're happy to support the South Gate Centre.

"We (the employees of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company) appreciate the programs offered here; we believe in the benefits of staying active and connecting with people. It supports individuals socially and mentally. I can feel the sense of pride as I walk through South Gate Centre; the members and volunteers; you can see that they have the fire it takes to make progress and to take the Centre to the next level."

Meanwhile Dr. Leonard Reeves encouraged others to donate.

"Now is the time to bring some money to the table for the seniors in our community. I am proud to support this worthy organization."

Hilderley goes on to explains why they need to expand the South Gate Centre.

"We have a membership of about 700 in the community right now and that fills up our current facility. We cannot expand our activities without having increased facilities and increased square footage. The expansion will provide facilities for our active adults over 50, but also for the community. We feel it will be a premier space for things like weddings, trade shows, any kind of large event that requires space for 400 people."