Project Sectors
HISTORY
The African descent population in Edmonton is growing rapidly, from 1.52% of the city’s population in 2001 to 5.76% in 2021. Africa Centre, or the Council for the Advancement of African Canadians in Alberta, is the primary point of contact within the city for many of these newcomers, offering essential services such as employment training and opportunities, integration programs, and important community connections. With the growing population of people who require services from Africa Centre, including children, youth, and families, the organization finds themselves limited by their location, which lacks the space necessary for inclusive and comprehensive outreach programs. In 2018, Africa Centre lost its space in Wellington Junior High due to structural safety issues, and the school was subsequently demolished. In its previous location, Africa Centre had access to a gymnasium and classrooms, and also enjoyed a prominent and community-oriented location.
VISION
Reimagine Gathering was commissioned in 2023 to complete the business case and neighbourhood community engagement in parallel with CNEORM Services Ltd., who facilitated the African descendant and Black community engagement. The African Multicultural Community Centre (AMCC) seeks to be a beacon for Edmontonians of African descent, fostering unity, celebrating diversity, and acting as a cultural hub for all to enjoy. This centre, envisaged to be established on the former Wellington Junior High School site, will be a nucleus encapsulating Edmonton's African-descent community’s rich and diverse heritage. It's proposed to comprise facilities such as a cultural centre, community services, offices, and educational and recreational spaces.
BRINGING A DREAM INTO REALITY
Our engagement began with a clear understanding of the project history, objectives, and vision. Various engagement methods were implemented in order to facilitate meaningful
interaction and to involve the widest audience possible, and which included attending community league town halls, City of Edmonton meetings, workshops and hosting various outreach opportunities, in-person and online. Our team conducted environmental and demographic site analyses of the previously selected Athlone neighbourhood site, the results of which informed our approach to the preliminary planning, program development, community engagement, governance plan, and business case. The Business Case is currently being considered by the City of Edmonton for the necessary funding to bring the AMCC fully into reality!
