Council has designated the collaborative efforts of several community groups to purchase and install a 750 square foot classroom in a 32’ by 25’ portable at Macaulay Village Park a Project of Community Interest.

The designation will support future grant applications and allow the Department of Illumination, Prince Edward Learning Centre and the Macaulay Village Neighbourhood Group to fundraise for the portable building’s purchase.

A $70,000 grant from the Vital Impact Fund through The County Foundation supports the initiative.

Council is also calling on municipal staff to develop an agreement with the proponents regarding ownership and insurance, grass cutting and snow removal, and water and wastewater services. 

The DOI will work closely with the County to determine logistics. Off-grid solutions for power, including solar and propane, are underway, as well as sanitary service solutions.

The agreement comes to Council for ratification later this spring.

“Community Owned”

If all goes according to plan, the portable will be open for community events, arts programming, gatherings, PELC programming and even birthday parties and games nights later this year.

In her deputation to the Committee of the Whole March 26, the Department’s Krista Dalby noted Macaulay Village is a historically underserved and geographically isolated neighbourhood.

Lack of an indoor gathering space means important community events must be cancelled for inclement weather. Programming is limited to warmer months, leaving a gap for much of the year.

In its 2024 Neighbourhood Plan, the Macaulay Village Neighbourhood Group identified four key priorities. Number two was a community centre. Number four was community programming.

“This project fulfills both.”

Partners include PELC, theROC, Victoria Taylor Landscape Architect, County Kids Read, and the County Garden Club. All of these organizations promise additional programming aligned with social supports — including tax clinics, counselling, and educational opportunities.

Groundwork

Macaulay Village resident Casey Heintzman noted that the village has one of the highest concentrations of rental housing, families, and young children in Prince Edward County. Many residents lack reliable transportation to services in Picton.

Since the park’s revitalization, summers in Macaulay Village have brought connection — places to play, gather, and grow food together. But in winter and bad weather, the community is isolated.

“A year-round community building would change this by creating space for programs, learning, and connection throughout all seasons,” she said. 

“It would improve access to food programs, mobile health and dental services, kids programming, youth activities, arts programming, tax clinics, and other supports. A year-round space makes possibilities almost limitless,” Ms. Heintzman added.

Council voted unanimously to approve the motion.