Murphy's Community Centre more accessible with renos complete

Murphy's Community Centre in Charlottetown is now more accessible for people with mobility issues following two years of renovations.

The Murphy family spent $600,000 renovations, with ACOA pitching in another half million to update the 53-year-old building.

Last summer, the bowling alley was completely renovated. It now has a lift and a ramp down to the lanes to make it accessible.

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"I think it's very important to make sure that our facility is top notch, to continuously bring new events and new groups into the centre," said general manager Greg MacDougall.

A multi-use facility

Renovations are now complete in the daycare area, with a new floor, LED lighting, and access to the wheelchair elevator.

It's important to make sure that we're all barrier free.- Greg MacDougall

The centre offers childcare programing to 90 children a day.

MacDougall said some children and adults who use the facility have mobility issues.

"On the evenings and weekends, we rent out the rooms to other non-profit community groups, so it's important to make sure that we're all barrier-free," he said.

A continuing investment

Work also just finished on the Stratford after school program area, which now has wheelchair accessible bathrooms.

"It's pretty crucial for our overall operations as a community centre," said MacDougall.

"We've got to continue to reinvest in the building. As I mentioned, it's 53 years old and the more we can make it look a modern facility, the more events it will open our doors to."

No more renovations are planned for theforeseeablefuture.

MacDougall said there are still areas on thethird floor that have the original floors and lighting that will need to be modernized, and that will happen when community groups express an interest to move in there.

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