New Jewish Community Centre coming to Edmonton

A former boy scouts building in west Edmonton is being transformed into a Jewish community centre. It's the first of its kind in Edmonton since 2012.

A new Jewish community centre in Edmonton will be the first in the city since 2012.

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The former boy scouts building on 14205-109 Avenue will be the new hub for cultural and community programming.

The renovations will cost $6 million, with $1 million coming from the province’s community facility enhancement program grant.

“We have not had a central gathering space for our community for 15 years now and so we’ve been making do by using rental spaces and holding things in people’s homes or in synagogues,” said Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright.

Leavitt-Wright says many Jewish people are moving to Alberta and seeking community.

“Our community has been here for over 100 years and this just signifies we are here for 100 years and counting, more to come,” Leavitt-Wright said.

The building will be fully accessible with an elevator and ramp.

The Jewish Federation of Edmonton hopes the centre will be complete by this time next year.