The Battlefords Trade and Education Centre Inc. annual general meeting Wednesday marked a milestone for the organization.
It was the last AGM held at the Vida McDonald Centre.
By next year, the meeting will be at their new building at Railway Avenue and 105th Street.
That building is in the final stages of construction.
The organization, which serves those with intellectual disabilities in the city, has operated out of Vida McDonald Centre on 103rd Street and from the main BTEC building across the street. That building is the 100-year-old armory.
BTEC had come off a successful My Community Cares fundraising campaign that reached its $2.3 million fundraising target in November.
The transition for the organization to a new building was on the minds of many at the annual meeting.
“Our annual general meeting here tonight marks the last time that we will meet in this facility,” said Julian Stelmaschuk, president.
“For many persons associated with BTEC, especially our participants, the Vida McDonald Centre has been their home for a long time. For some people leaving this site will not necessarily be easy.
“The BTEC board thanks our managers and direct support workers who, in addition to their regular duties, have been preparing for the move to our new facility. As well, when they spend many hours in preparing and carrying out events like the art show and sale and the Mardi Gras, then it shows that you care.”
He went to thank the volunteers for their donation of time and experience, and expressed gratitude to the citizens for their continuing financial support.
“Our new facility would not be possible had we not received your support.”
Executive Director Mona Leece also commented on the move to a new facility that is coming.
“I can tell you the inside looks as good as the outside,” she said. “I cannot wait to show everyone our new facility.”
She also paid tribute to the participants in BTEC.
“We cannot forget that the participants are the reason we are all working so hard, they are so excited to have a new facility and they so deserve it. As exciting as it all is it’s going to be a big adjustment for all of us, but the participants in particular. The old armory and the Vida McDonald Centre have been second homes to our participants and anyone who’s ever moved knows how difficult the adjustment can be.
“We will continue to have the brilliant programming that we have developed over the past few years, getting out in the community with different activities and volunteerism. The bookstore will continue to run to get the public to come to us and we will continue to strive to do our best for our participants.”
In speaking to reporters after the meeting Leece said the move is not long in coming.
“The date probably is the end of August for completion, and hopefully we will have moved in by September,” Leece said. “So we’re very excited.”
She said working with contractor Lyle Schell has been a good experience and “they’re mostly on track,” she said.
Leece looks forward to BTEC having “the space to do many different programming and just be able to have air conditioning and heat. And the clients, like I said, so deserve it. After 50 years, it’s time.”
Both existing buildings will be put up for sale. Leece expects the Vida McDonald Centre and the existing BTEC building will go on the market probably around the time they move into the new facility.
