Delayed west-end francophone centre poised to move ahead

The future of the troubled Grant School site on Richmond Roadis looking more secure now that two city committees have passed a plan to convert it into afrancophonehub.

The original plan to refurbish the west Ottawa site andcreate a community space for French speakers faced financial obstacles and delays in 2016, leaving neighbours worried the long-vacant historic building would become derelict.

Now, the French public school board,Conseildescolespubliquesdel'Estdel'Ontario(CEPEO), is poised to complete that vision with funds from the provincial government.

"It's very important that the community know that there's a place where they can speak French and have services in French," said CEPEO chair LindaSavard.

Project wins city approvals

The school board plans to demolish an old addition and construct two new buildings on the site.

The centre will be calledMaison de la francophonie de l'Ottawa.

The city's finance and economic development committee agreed Tuesday to sell the land needed for the new buildings to the board for $2 million, and on Thursdaythe built heritage sub-committee approved the design.

"This has been a long running project in Bay ward, and although it faced challenges and slow progress, it is now on the cusp of being completed in a timely fashion and serving the needs of the west end community,"Coun. Mark Taylor wrote in a city report where he askedothercouncillorsto support the proposal.

The project was able to move forward in December after the provincial government announced an $8.9-million contribution to the new hub.

That money will be used for construction, while the school board will cover the cost of purchasing the land.

Francophone population booming

The school board plans to use the buildings for a number of community resources,including a daycare, a community gymnasium,adult classesand French-language services.

Savardsaid those services are sorely lacking in the west end, even as thefrancophonepopulation booms. Right now there are about 20,000francophonesin west Ottawa, she said.

"Every French school in the west end of Ottawa is full," Savard said.

City council will debate final approval for the project on March 28. If everything goes as planned, the school board hopes to begin construction and open the centre's doors in early 2019.