West End Cultural Centre exceeds fundraising goal

The West End Cultural Centre has raised $70,000 from the community after facing a cash crunch earlier this month.

A struggling community organization is seeing a sudden spike in support.

West End Cultural Centre (WECC) put out a call for help on Dec. 1, saying it was in a tough financial spot and needed to raise $50,000 by the end of the month to pay the bills, retain all its staff, and keep shows going.

In a media release sent Monday, WECC’s executive director said nearly $70,000 has been raised.

“What we thought would take a month, you did in a week,” Jorge Requena Ramos wrote.

“From here we are carefully evaluating programming, partnerships, grants, and funding opportunities.”

Ramos said WECC will also be hosting spring fundraisers for its 40th anniversary celebrations, happening in 2027.

Ramos previously told CTV News the venue’s revenues were down because fewer people are buying tickets to live events, people aren’t drinking as much, and social issues in the neighbourhood have impacted attendance.