On June 29th the community gathered in the expanded courtyard of the newly renovated Old Ottawa South Community centre to celebrate the reopening of the Firehall. The many years of fundraising and lobbying for the improved facility paid off and everyone was delighted to see the 90-year old building restored and expanded.
OSCA President Michael Jenkin mused that our “tattered old friend” of a building has been transformed into something truly wonderful and those on-hand agreed whole-heartedly. He thanked the many community members for the long, hard struggle to rejuvenate the centre. The community association raised $350,000 of the $3.4 million spent by the city on the expansion.
Councillor Clive Doucet reminded the crowd of the city staff recommendation to close the community centres in both the Glebe and Old Ottawa South and build a complex at Brewer Park to service both neighbourhoods—an idea that was soundly rejected. He praised the community efforts in the battle to save the Firehall for well over a decade.
Building architect Anthony Leaning commended the community engagement and respect for the heritage building, calling it a social and community hub.
Provincial MP Yasir Naqvi echoed the sentiment of the crowd that it was indeed “an exciting day”.
OSCA Vice President David Law made a surprise announcement that, in recognition of the many years of hard work and tenacity of OSCA President Michael Jenkin, the main meeting room would be named in Michael’s honour.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony people had a chance to reminisce over refreshments about the many lobster suppers, auctions and bake sales that brought the project to fruition. And visitors took the opportunity to walk through the expanded facility and marvel at the transformation.
View photos of the new/old building and the opening celebration at the Firehall Reopening photo gallery.