Family Place gets funding for move into new space

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWest Family Place is hard at work on efforts to welcome families into its new space.

Since 1989, Family Place has been offering a variety of drop-in programs, workshops, parenting groups and services for families with children aged zero to six years of age. It’s currently renovating a new space at 960 Quayside Dr. a commercial building next to the Inn at the Quay and River Market.

The move comes after Family Place had to vacate the space it had been using in École Qayqayt Elementary School since 2016 because the school district needed that space for classrooms.

NewWestminster city council recently approved a one-time emergency grant of $6,300 to New West Family Place, with the funds being used to support its relocation by offsetting the value of the 2023 municipal taxes.

According to a report to council, Family Place will face “significant” expenses in its first year, including upgrades to integrate three units at the new site

The staff report noted Family Place has been supported by a “generous donation” of $64,500 per year for three years from Peter Chung of Primacorp Ventures, owner of 960 Quayside Dr and River Market

DeniseTambellini, the city’s intergovernmental and community relations manager, said the city has helped facilitate the lease agreement at the new location and the donation from Chung

“We’re very grateful for that contribution,” she said

According toTambellini, the city’s financial support is a one-time emergency response She noted that grant processes can take from six months to a year, and there was a quick timeline between the time Family Place needed to move out of the Qayqayt location and into the Quayside space

Dana Osiowy, executive director of Family Place, said the non-profit has been doing a lot of fundraising

“We will continue to do that,” she said “I’m very confident that this will be a one-time funding, that we’ll be able to even think out as we go forward We do have a robust fundraising strategy, a diversity of funders who fund our charity So, we will continue along that path ”