Major Project Milestone!
We are thrilled to share that the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) has awarded Ritchie Community League $1 million. This is incredible news! This, along with funding in part from the Government of Canada (Housing, Infrastructure and Communities) and the City of Edmonton, allows the League to move forward with the hall replacement project.
Even though we still have some fundraising ahead to fully finish and furnish the new building, secured funding allows us to move forward with final design modifications and confidently begin construction in 2026.
Fundraising so far
Ritchie residents and friends of Ritchie have raised just over $160,000 for the hall replacement project this past year. Our other goal is $250,000 in corporate support, which has been challenging so far. If you work for a company that has a grant or donation program for community building, please reach out to your company’s grant advisor or office and let them know about our project — then let us know and we’ll apply!
Corporations can also advertise with us and write it off as a business expense. Opportunities to name a space or a feature cost from $2,500 to $50,000. Please email fundraising@ritchie-league.com if you want to learn more about these opportunities.
The construction side of the project…
The initial building design was created with the Green and Inclusive Community Building (GICB) grant program in mind. The building’s net-zero energy design and high accessibility standards were key in securing that federal funding.
Work is underway to reduce costs without compromising energy efficiency and accessibility. With the technical expertise of a construction management company, proposed changes will include adjusting the roofline and exterior panelling, reducing the amount of glass, deferring non-essential finishes, and exploring a timber frame construction — all while preserving the original intent and significantly lowering costs.
What’s next?
The project now has the core funding needed to build the structure. We will continue fundraising to ensure the building is fully operational and welcoming from day one, and we’ll pursue additional grants to support furnishings, finishes, and site improvements.
This milestone is a huge step forward for Ritchie and our future community space! Thank you to everyone who has been involved so far, including our New Hall Revitalization Committee, Fundraising Manager, and grant writer.