The sound of hammers clanging and circular saws cutting through wood planks fills the air outside the Glebe Community Centre. Metal scaffolding envelops three sides of the structure, giving residents who still visit for regular programming a behind-the-scenes view of the renovations.
Glebe resident Andrea Ryer has two sons, Emmet and Miles, who often participate in programs at the centre. She said the people involved in the renovation have “done a really good job of continuing business as usual,” so there “has really been no impact” on accessing the building or its services.
Ryer is no stranger to the impacts of major renovation projects. She and her family are splitting time between temporary housing while the roof on their Powell Avenue home is being replaced alongside other extensive upgrades.
“It’s all in the planning,” Ryer said, adding that “fewer problems are likely to materialize” during a project if everyone coordinates before any construction starts.
Strong planning has been a mantra of sorts for Sarah Routliffe, the executive director of Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG). Even though the City of Ottawa owns and maintains the centre, GNAG is its main tenant.
Routliffe said GNAG “doesn’t have a say if a major construction project is going to happen, but we do for when it happens.”
Routliffe adds that city representatives are at the centre to make sure the facility is in working order. When they find a need for major renovations such as the one currently underway, Routliffe said there are “lots of meetings” to coordinate the project so it has a minimal impact on GNAG’S programming and the surrounding community.
At these frequent meetings, Routliffe said there “is always a GNAG presence.”
“Our partnership with the city is strong,” she said.
She added that GNAG has a “service level agreement” to define what role the neighbourhood activities group performs by essentially providing “services on behalf of the city.” But for major projects, they still need to get city approval. This includes projects paid for by GNAG funds, such as the upcoming restoration of the Youth Room at the community centre.
Whether funded by the City or GNAG, Routliffe said projects meant to improve the building are “essentially donating back to the community.”
As the exterior renewal continues, Ryer said the impact on programming and activities has been negligible. She said it’s a “testament to how well the city and GNAG” planned for the project long before the first piece of scaffolding was put into place.
