Bradford’s Portuguese Cultural Centre just received good reason to raise the roof.
York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney joined Marv Chantler of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) at the centre on Friday morning, Nov. 10, to announce the foundation is awarding the centre a $150,000 grant.
Christin Perdiz, vice-secretary at the centre, thanked everyone who helped make the grant possible and for the “overwhelming” support.
“This will benefit the overall safety of everyone using our hall,” she said. “I know it’s a big number, but with 40 years plus here, there’s a lot of need for updates.”
The funds will help the centre replace its aging metal roof and support structure, as well as kitchen appliances that include commercial ovens and stoves. They'll also be used to complete necessary electrical upgrades.
While the group incorporated in 1983, Elizabeth Lambert, treasurer at the centre, recalled being a young girl with her grandfather and father as they first began work on building the centre, which opened in 1987.
“I’m excited for the new days of our centre and being part of this process. It’s important for us as second and third generation living in Bradford to continue our traditions and share them with everyone in the community,” she said, noting all people of all ages are welcome to attend.
Mayor James Leduc agreed with the wide appeal of the centre.
“I can tell you right now, our whole community is going to benefit from this grant,” he said. “This is a building that everybody seems to enjoy.”
Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Scott also emphasized the importance to the entire community.
“It’s a community hub that everyone has memories from, whether it’s a wedding, Portuguese festival, even the local Muslim community has the Eid celebrations often. Being able to renew this hall for the next 40 years is so important to Bradford,” he said.
Scott noted that after the legion and the food bank, this is the third time in the last couple of years where Mulroney has been able to help him bring OTF funds to Bradford.
“When Liz and I were writing the grant, we said ‘We’re going to make it as good as we can, and then Caroline is going to do the rest,” so thank you so much,” he said.
Mulroney acknowledged there were many deserving applicants competing for funding, but the centre stood out among them.
“The fact that you were successful speaks to the quality of your application and the need that is great ... this centre represents such an important part of Bradford,” she said.
Chantler, part of the OTF’s Simcoe-York grant review team, shared similar sentiments.
“Your team put together a very strong application outlining how this grant would make a difference in the long-term life of the building and ongoing community activities,” he said. “Spaces like this remain vital to the health and vibrancy of communities, giving people a place to gather and remain connected.”
For more information about the centre and upcoming events there, visit its Facebook page.
