Moncton City Councillor Paul Pellerin was flabbergasted after hearing the news this week about the imminent closure of the St. Pat’s Family Centre.
He says it’s still early, but so far, several members of the community, and other councillors are stepping forward to offer their help.
“Find a way, first of all, to make sure this is still a viable option for the citizens of Moncton, and I firmly believe it is,” says Pellerin. “We want to do our best to make sure that community centre stays where it is, so that future generations can use it, just like I did when I was a kid.”
Pellerin added, a Go Fund Me page has already been launched in support with a stated goal of raising $100,000.
“To give them an opportunity to sit down, come up with a business case looking forward, hopefully discuss with all three levels of government, and other community partners, first of all if it can be saved, and I’m of the opinion it can be,” says Pellerin. “And moving forward, making sure that this situation doesn’t happen again.”
Pellerin says this was more than just a pool, or a gym, it offered affordable childcare for families.
“St. Pat’s is, and always has been a non for profit association, so it’s not just a blow to the kids for the pool, or the gym, but it’s also a blow for parents that need this daycare for affordability moving forward,” says Pellerin.
He is hoping the various levels of government, and community members can come up with a plan to make St. Pat’s viable once again.
