В Ред-Дире началось строительство нового центра для молодежи и семей от благотворительной организации Hope Mission

Hope Mission breaks ground on Red Deer community centre for youth and families Published 4:50 pm Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Hope Mission has broken ground on a community centre in Red Deer’s north end to provide its prevention and support programs for children, youth and families. Currently, the Christian charity offers the services through partnerships with local schools and has a youth and family services office located at 140-6660 Taylor Dr. Plans for the 21,845-square-foot centre, to be built at 139 Northey Ave in Normandeau, include a gymnasium, kitchen and seating area. Construction is expected to be finished in the spring of 2027. A building permit for the centre was issued last month. “We care deeply about the kids and families here and we want to do what we can to support them and help them succeed, to empower them and build strength and resilience in their homes,” said Scott Barclay, senior manager with Hope Mission’s Southern Alberta Prevention Programs. He said Hope Mission has been in discussions with partners to develop a community centre in Red Deer for about 10 years, so it’s exciting to see preparations get underway at the site of the former location of Unity Baptist Church, which was demolished a few years ago. “Unity Baptist Church generously donated that land to Hope Mission a couple of years ago. We’re excited to share that they will be moving back to that property with us, and operating in that new building as well.” He said Hope Mission is also open to discuss other partnership opportunities. Fundraising efforts for the centre are ongoing, and the charity has applied for grants from the provincial and federal governments. The Red Deer centre will be similar to Hope Mission’s Tegler Youth Centre in Edmonton, that has offered activities, meals and mentorship for children, youth and families since 2002. “We’re going to be creating spaces and opportunities for families, caregivers, seniors, to connect and create community with one another, and with the volunteers and staff we’ll have onsite.” Programs and services will be available free of charge. He said Hope Mission has been operating in Red Deer since 2015 and developed connections with families in the city and around central Alberta. Earlier this year, Hope Mission took over Red Deer’s downtown emergency shelter, which it will continue to operate while a permanent emergency shelter and support services hub is developed in Riverside Heavy Industrial Park, which Hope Mission will operate. Barclay emphasized that the new community centre will not be a place where people can sleep. “It is not a shelter. This is for kids, youth and families.”