Central Station Community Centre

The Central Station Community Centre is open five days a week and offers a variety of workshops and programs, including cooking classes, mental health workshops, and a breakfast program to support the local foodbank. With the move to the town’s main street in 2022, the space is now centrally located, accessible, and visible to all that they serve. Weekly attendance to the programs at Central Station average 800 people per week.

Community members that access Central Station are generally facing barriers and needing additional supports. Many face issues such as homelessness, unstable housing, lack of basic needs such as food, mental health services, addictions services, and/or a lack of access to technology. In addition to providing supports for these needs, Central Station offers skill-building services such as cooking classes, financial counselling referrals, single and parenting course, and more.

The organization prides itself in collaborating with the Garden Valley School Division, Eden Health Care Services, Regional Connections, and more to offer programs collectively.

The Winkler community was consulted extensively on the centre renovation project. The community envisioned creating a “front porch” where people would gather outside with an open invitation for connection and community. The front porch would be used by any group that is using the community centre to expand their space. It can also be used for anyone to sit outside as they pass by, be greeted by Central Station staff and hosts, and maybe stay and have a cup of coffee.

The funding granted will provide Central Station with the opportunity to build a gazebo to shade the space used for their food programs, and will help purchase picnic tables and outdoor benches that can be used for socializing and dining. Outreach will be in the form of a strong social media presence, community meals, opportunities for outdoor dining and socializing, as well as an open invitation for the community to use the space.

“We are healthier when we have connection. The renovation and creation of a welcoming ‘front porch’ will positively impact the community and future generations.”