Pat Porter Active Living Centre unveils planned expansion

A new plan for the expansion of the Pat Porter Active Living Centre was presented to attendees at their annual fundraising banquet on March 13.

The banquet itself raises funds for day-to-day needs at the centre, or as executive director Audrey Harder explains, “this fundraiser is what keeps the lights on.”

But it was also an appeal for guests to consider supporting the expanded facility which will see an addition built on the parking lot side of the structure.

“We have 600 members right now and more everyday, and all our programs are so full that we actually have to have online signups,” she said. “It’s a good problem but at the same time it’s a little bit scary.”

As part of fundraising efforts, The Pat Porter Active Living Centre is inviting the public to purchase legacy bricks.

Ranging from platinum to copper, the five categories will involve annual financial commitments over five years.

At the bottom end of the scale, a copper brick will cost $200 annually. That amount moves up to $500 for bronze, $2,500 for silver, $5,000 for gold and $10,000 annually for platinum sponsors.

They’re also inviting room sponsors which include naming rights for the rooms in question.

Rooms available for sponsorship include the event centre, coffee corner, fireside room, kitchen, Northview, board room, clinic, wellness room, the elevator, meeting room, executive offices, and community resource room and the entire new wing.

Prices range from $5,000 annually for five years to sponsor the clinic which offers naming rights for 10 years to a 20-year $250,000 commitment to sponsor the new wing.

Harder said the new space will also allow them to increase rentals, something that’s very important considering it’s 23 percent of their total operating costs.

“If we don’t hit $100,000 or more in rental income, we have to really scramble,” she said.