They said it was impossible, as The Mount Community Centre announced its dream to build a community, a sustainable urban village that is welcoming, open and inclusive within the city of Peterborough. Attached to the initial logo was the statement just imagine. Three years ago it was not easy to imagine that the vision described in the brochure could ever materialize. A small group of dedicated citizens undertook the momentous task of transforming over 132,000 square feet of buildings on ten acres of land in the heart of the city. The task was indeed formidable, the risk enormous. The evolution of the project to this point is a story of determination, courage and commitment, and the latest brochures no longer contain the call to imagine.
The dream was built around four pillars of service in response to the needs of the area. The first was the construction of about 80 apartments over time in the light of the critical need for housing in the Peterborough area. The first 43 apartments are now completed and rented, and the last three tenants are moving in over the next month. Plans are already underway for a further 30 – 40 apartments to be constructed within the building. An innovative food centre to answer needs for food security is being realized as a group of experts in the food business, on a very productive committee, have drawn up plans that are now under construction, and a manager has been hired to put into place this many–faceted dream. Another pillar of service is the area of health and social services. A huge open space on the first floor, formerly the dining room of the Sisters of St. Joseph, has been rented by the Victorian Order of Nurses and offers an Adult Day Program for seniors and adults living with a disability or with Alzheimer's Disease, dementia or cognitive impairment. The Victorian Order of Nurses also rents offices to coordinate the Assisted Living Services Program which provides personal support services, homemaking, security checks and care coordination for seniors. Kawartha Land Trust recently relocated their offices to The Mount; an organization and registered charity dedicated to conserving the natural environment and enhancing quality of life in the Kawarthas by protecting properties comprising 3,040 acres of important diverse types of land. Other agencies and organizations continue to negotiate for spaces to rent. The fourth pillar is the development and encouragement of arts and cultural activities. The beautiful former chapel is currently being used for various cultural activities, including music, drama and film, and other areas are busy every day with piano and dance lessons as well as choir groups. These pillars have been planned and operate within a strong commitment to ecological and financial sustainability.
The challenges ahead continue to call for a high level of commitment as the project moves forward to make the best use of this huge asset for the good of Peterborough and Area. The work and the excitement around possibilities continue, but the atmosphere has changed. The constant use of the existing building, and the initial success in the completion of the first phase which has transformed one area of the building into bright and beautiful apartments is not the only change. The minds and hearts of some who expressed little faith in the project and others who had interest but many questions about its viability have also been transformed. Most significantly it has given to those, whose generous and consistent support made possible this foundation, the courage, the stamina and the enthusiasm to carry on with a hope that is based on a story of growth from an impossible dream.
Joan Driscoll CSJ