Community Hub a Much-Needed Social Space in Val Rita-Harty

The Township of Val Rita-Harty is combating social isolation and encouraging use of community spaces with its own community hub. 

Val Rita-Harty is a small township of about 750 people in Cochrane District in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. The township consists of two communities, Val Rita and Harty, both located along Highway 11 between Opasatika and Kapuskasing.

The Township began converting the Ecole Ste. Rita, a former public school, into a community centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a community meeting held prior to the beginning of the project, 110 residents showed up in unanimous support of renovating the space. As part of the overall renovation, the Township converted two classrooms into a multi-use community room with a kitchen, games, tables and chairs, and washroom facilities. 

The space is meant to be used by all age groups to have a common area for socializing, having events or meetings, and hanging out. 

There was previously no space in Val Rita-Harty where residents could meet on a regular basis to socialize and bond with other residents of the community. Previously, residents had to commute 15 kilometres to Kapuskasing to access the nearest community centre. 

Additionally, to reduce operating costs and allow for more access to the building, the Township integrated an electronic card system to control access to the centre.

Thanks to the Canada Community-Building Fund, Val Rita-Harty has a social space of its own for its residents to enjoy for years to come.