Sophiasburgh Central School supporters and community hub organizers Todd Foster(left) and Mike Farrell (right). (Quinte News file photo: John Spitters).
A group working to save Sophiasburgh Central School by transforming it into a community hub is reaching out to the public and municipality for support in helping to make the vision become a reality.
On June 19, The Hastings Prince Edward District School Board voted to keep Sophiasburgh Central School open for the 2017/18 school year in order for the project group to develop a business plan for a community hub instead of consolidating with Queen Elizabeth. The plan proposes to transform 5,400 square feet of under-utilized space in the west wing of the Kindergarten to Grade 8 school into a shared commercial kitchen, daycare and public library. The group has stated that by having an active community hub there will be deep and lasting social and economic benefits within the area by allowing farmers to ramp up food production; tackling food insecurity and providing hands on nutrition programing to students.
On Thursday, Sophiasburgh Food Hub Steering Committee Co-chairs Todd Foster and Mike Farrell addressed the committee of the whole to provide an update on the project that is in ‘start up mode’. Farrell said currently the group is reaching out to future users to ascertain the best mix of elements in the shared kitchen space; identifying regulatory thresholds for construction, determining the linked leasehold improvements needed and gathering transition and sustainable funding required during the start up period.
From the municipality, the group is requesting: focused transition funding that supports the economic and community development strategic plan, a County staff member join the project’s steering committee to offer municipal presence at board meetings, and regulatory guidance with grant identification and applications.
Mayor Robert Quaiff said council is very supportive of the initiative and will take a look at supporting the hub.
The group has until May 2018 to present the school board with a business case in order for Sophiasburgh to stay open and not consolidate with Prince Edward Collegiate the following September.
Their first progress meeting with the board is on August 16.
The steering committee is hosting a community picnic on August 9 at Three Dog Winery with food vendors as a way to reach out to the community. The event is at 5 p.m. Farrell said they are looking for volunteers who want to help with planning, branding and social media presence.
For more information or to volunteer contact mike@driveconversion.com or todd@countyshores.com
