Montreal’s West Island is set to get a new community hub soon. The West Island Assistance Fund (WIAF) has officially acquired the Canada Post distribution centre located at 6 Rue du Centre-Commercial in Roxboro-Pierrefonds. The building will be transformed and will include a food bank, a thrift store and a bistro. The board’s president, Gregory Orleski, says the goal is to create an environment that fosters dignity and a sense of belonging. “It’s coming at the right time to serve the community,” he said. Orleski says 24,000 people on the West Island live below the poverty line. After a major fire in 2019 wiped out over half of its space in Roxboro, it’s been looking for a new home for its food bank and to keep with growing demand. The space will also have shared workspaces and a garden. The hub will partially open in Sept. 2026.
