Things are happening at 525 Beresford Avenue in Winnipeg.
In the fall of 2022, Churchill Park United Church (CPUC) began a process to determine its future. Faced with shrinking resources and changing attendance patterns, CPUC’s property had become a burden. But the congregation didn’t want to sell commercially. They wanted the building to remain a non-profit, serving the community as it has done for nearly 100 years.
To engage the community in future planning, CPUC held a dinner and consultation. Activists, residents, business owners and community leaders were invited to gather and brainstorm ideas. Several exciting possibilities emerged.
Soon a joint committee was formed to explore and evaluate ideas from the consultation. This “Building Transition Committee” contains two church and five community representatives. Recently, they recommended that a new non-profit organization be formed to manage and maintain the 525 Beresford space.
With two or three primary tenants and several evening and weekend renters, the building will be renovated to serve the people of South Osborne in new ways. One anchor tenant has already been approved: a childcare centre, the initiative of the South Osborne Childcare Coalition. The congregation is thrilled to welcome a partner who will offer this vital service to the neighbourhood.
Churchill Park United will continue as a faith community in the newly configured space and the Commercial Kitchen which operates in the building will also remain. At this point, the Building Transition Committee welcomes proposals from other nonprofit organizations who see themselves as future tenants in the building.
We look forward to deepening our work with South Osborne residents and local organizations to make the dream of 525 Beresford a reality: the dream of a community- based, accessible and equitable space that can continue to be enjoyed by many.
Comments, questions and expressions of interest can be directed to the Building Transition Committee at: minister@churchillparkunited.ca.
