For the past 30 years Community House Mid Canterbury has been the heart of the social service sector in Mid Canterbury and they are now asking the community to help them future-proof their home.
It needs work at a cost of more than $435k.
Early next year, manager Robbie Ross said they if they secured funding, the project would begin to reroof the building, add solar panels, install double glazed windows, paint the building and change the entranceway to make it fit for purpose.
The board of the community house decided the time was right to undertake the projects as part of their 10 year plan.
Applications have been made for funding grants but now they want to give the community the opportunity to be involved with a ‘‘Heart of the Community’’ appeal.
They are inviting individuals, families, groups and businesses to purchase a heart which will go on a mobile ‘‘wall of heart’’ that will be parked up in key areas in Ashburton from October 6 to November 7.
The starting price for a heart is $50, up to $5000.
‘‘I have been involved in a similar style of fundraiser in another area and it was very successful,’’ Ross said.
The board of community house want to make the changes and improvement to future proof the building so they can continue to provide services to the community.
‘‘We want these alternations and upgrades to ensure we have a sustainable building and can continue to provide tenants with a low cost facility,’’ Ross said.
The maintenance work is for building suited on the corner of Cass and Moore Sts.
Its two buildings house 30 tenants who provide 40 different community services.
In the last financial year there had been a 56 per cent increase in the number of people visiting their facility.
‘‘With more families and children as well as older folk using the facilities our changes to the entrance will provide a safe pedestrian access rather than having to go through the car park which can comprise safety,’’ Ross said.
– Anyone wanting to purchase a heart can call into Community House Mid Canterbury at 44 Cass St or go to heartofcommunity.co.nz
