The County of Simcoe and the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance are planning to take a second run at getting a multicultural centre built in Simcoe County.
During the June 14 committee of the whole meeting, County of Simcoe councillors received an update from the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance (EMA) and a staff report outlining plans to support the non-profit in a second application for grant funding for a feasibility study to support the building of a multicultural centre.
“There are more and more... students and people who are coming to study at Georgian College and Lakehead University, and one of the biggest challenges for Simcoe County is to persuade them to stay here, start a business and a family here,” said Shelley Sarin, president of the EMA in a deputation to councillors on Tuesday.
“But, why would they stay here where their social activities occur in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area)?” asked Sarin. “We need to make them feel welcome and a part of our community.”
While 2021 census data on immigration has not yet been released, according to 2016 data, 61,605 immigrants speaking 112 different languages resided in Simcoe County communities. The Ethnic Mosaic Alliance is planning to compile a report to be released in 2023 on the outcome of the 2021 census once it’s released as a comparison.
“It is anticipated that major elements of the community consultation and data collection process will illustrate that immigrant residency in Simcoe County has accelerated, and that the attraction, recruitment, integration, and retention of immigrants will play an important role in filling increasing labour shortages in Simcoe County,” noted Sandra Lee, Manager of the Local Immigration Partnership, in her staff report to councillors.
In 2019, County of Simcoe council supported an application for an infrastructure grant to support the construction of a multicultural centre. This funding application included a program and construction feasibility study, however the application was denied.
Nineteen letters of support from municipalities and key community partners accompanied the funding application.
The newest application will be for the federal Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, which supports construction and/or renovation of arts and/or heritage facilities and the development of feasibility studies for that purpose.
While plans for a multicultural centre in Simcoe County are still in early development, a previous county staff report indicated the estimated size of the multicultural centre is projected at 22,000 square feet with an estimated cost of up to $9 million.
No specific site has been proposed yet, although some municipalities have expressed interest.
“We believe this will be a huge asset to the community that hosts it,” said Sarin.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Sarin said the group is looking for two to three acres of land on which to build the centre.
According the EMA website, the group’s preference is land in South Simcoe as that is where the majority of immigrant growth resides within Simcoe County borders, however the group hasn’t yet made any final decisions. Once grant funding is secured, the group intends to start a major fundraising campaign to raise the costs of building the centre.
Once built, revenues to support operating costs are planned to come from lease agreements, membership fees for ethno-cultural associations, programming fees, space rentals, and grants. The EMA would be responsible for the oversight and operation of the centre.
The intention is to provide hub services, supports, and multicultural celebrations that meet immigrants’ needs. These may include settlement services, English language training, foreign language training (for children and youth), employment services, and programming for children and seniors.
The Ethnic Mosaic Alliance incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in March 2019, and is made up of community leaders from varying multicultural groups county-wide to identify common ground and shared interests.
The committee voted in favour of supporting an application for funding to Heritage Canada: Canada Cultural Spaces Fund as the lead applicant, in partnership with the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance. The decision will need to be ratified at the next regular meeting of council before going into effect.
For more information on the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance, visit their website here.
