Ontario Trillium Foundation grant used to install heat pumps in church's community spaces

Things are real cool at Central United Church for community groups looking for a place to get together.

It’s thanks to a $41,700 grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation.

With that money, Central has been able to install three heat pumps for eight former Sunday school rooms above the church gym.

“We converted our Sunday school rooms above the gym that weren’t being used into community spaces,” says Betty Field, the project’s co-ordinator at the Wellington Street church, “but there was no air-conditioning up there and it was very, very hot.”

While the church is heated, it does not have central air. The heat pumps will now provide that, making the space more user-friendly in hot weather. (As a bonus, they also will provide heat, when needed on cool fall and spring days while the church boilers are shut down for the off-season.)

Central rents the rooms at a nominal charge to community users. The space currently is used weekly for support groups and other meetings, family celebrations, and a respite daycare program for adults with disabilities.

Betty says there’s a sore need in our town for the square footage, as demonstrated by demand.

“We’re busy all the time.”

Richard Jackson, chair of council at Central, is quoted: “Community spaces are becoming scarce at a time when the need is growing.

“This Ontario government grant increases the hours that we can provide to the community now and in the future.”

The grant was celebrated Sunday at the church, now styled as Central United Church & Community Centre, and familiarly known as the Railway Church for its railway-themed stained glass windows funded by railway workers who were members of the congregation.

Joining was Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack, who said the provincial grant will have a “lasting impact.”

“This investment not only enhances the building’s energy efficiency but also expands access to vital community programs, providing a safe and welcoming space for everyone.”

For rental info, click through centraluc.ca.

There you have it!

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