Individuals, businesses and others from Oxford and beyond are helping this $24.5-million project move closer to opening its doors.
The big-bucks contributions to Oxford’s new community centre have been known for some time: $7-million from the federal government; $7-million from the provincial government; and $7-million from the River Philip Foundation. There was also a $1.87-million provincial grant specifically to fund the YMCA child care facility that will occupy a ground-floor space in the new building. And over the past couple of years, other donations to bring the project closer to it’s funding goal have been announced.
Recently, the Oxford & Area Community Centre Committee (OCC) has begun to post thank-you notices to its social media page, recognizing the smaller —though no-less important— donations made in the final months of construction.
Before the end of 2025, the OCC publicized all of the ways and levels at which the public could contribute to the effort, ensuring that people knew they would be eligible for end-of-year charitable receipts, as well as suggesting donations in memory or recognition of community members.
This month, the effort continues, as does the eligibility for next year’s tax season, to seek the last portion of community buy-in that will lead to opening day, planned for mid-July with an on-site celebration. OCC representative Jordan Burkhardt says Oxford can look forward to a party, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 18th.
Burkhardt says the atrium of the new centre will have a “capital wall” listing the individuals and organizations that have contributed to making this project a reality. He notes that the Committee’s “aggressive” fundraising push before Christmas was aimed at both recognizing the many donations made so far, and as a way of encouraging folks to add to the total while receiving a tax receipt in return. Donations are not necessarily about making a one-shot contribution, as they can be spread over a one-to-three-year period.
Following the three contributions from the provincial and federal governments and the River Philip Foundation, the two next-biggest amounts come from the municipalities whose taxpayers will benefit the most from this new infrastructure. That includes about $350,000 each from the Town of Oxford (financial contribution & the deferral of development fees & property taxes) and the Municipality of Cumberland County.
Burkhardt emphasizes that despite what some believe, this is not like major projects undertaken in other municipalities, in that “…a lot of these are built by municipalities and just put onto the tax base. This build is not about impacting people’s taxes… the only fees that will be are user fees. So, it’s not a burden on the community, it’s only a benefit.”
Oxford Mayor Greg Henley agrees: “The fundraising efforts of our dedicated volunteers deserve immense recognition and heartfelt appreciation. Your commitment, creativity, and relentless drive have made a profound impact on our community, reflecting the true spirit of teamwork and generosity. The new community centre stands as a symbol of unity and progress for our town. It offers a space where residents can gather, participate in wellness programs, and engage in creative activities.”
Burqhardt notes the actual dollar amount given by people isn’t the point: “…the donations vary. And it’s not about the amount. It’s about the community. This is a community building and the community has to take ownership. This isn’t eight people who are sitting on a board. This is our community building. …that board is going to help lead the facility to make sure it’s there… The success of this building is the community and how it’s used and how it’s supported.”
As we move through the final months of the build by Bird Construction, Burkhardt says there are more things to announce shortly: “we have some significant contributions that are being finalized today and there will be new updates and announcements very shortly.”
It’s expected that the impending announcements will include the “naming rights” for sections of the building. While the River Philip Foundation, as the largest non-governmental donor holds the naming rights for the overall building, individual spaces within the facility can be named as well — and money talks. One example is the “CIBC Learning Centre“, which is co-branding with the Oxford Branch of Cumberland Public Libraries, following the bank’s $100-thousand donation in September, 2025.
While work continues on the facility over the winter months, Burkhardt notes that there’s little to see outside, as the focus now is on the inner workings — mechanical, electrical, and all the finishing touches. He says there are still about fifty workers on-site daily doing that work.
In the early Spring, residents will see some of the exterior finishes being done – the concrete works and paving, as well as landscaping. Burkhardt says the parking area will intersect with the parking currently available for the Nazarene church, enabling the broader community to make use of that space, which might also mean overflow parking for the nearby school, should it be required. The back (North) side of the building, from the Little River Road entrance, will provide approximately fifty more parking spaces. He adds that there will be attention given to levelling out that space between the new building and the soccer field, taking the entire space into consideration and ensuring everything ties in together.
A big part of that, Burkhardt says, is integrating with the school: “We want to integrate the school. We think kids are going to come from the school and over through that back lane and into this building.”
There are many local children who make use of the Oxford Branch Library after school, as a place to study, and to pass the time while their parents are working. It’s location in the new Oxford and Area Community Centre is much more convenient for those students.
The Library space, for which the Town of Oxford will pay rent (as it currently does at the former Oxford Journal building on Rideau Street), is one of two long-term tenants of the building which will help cover ongoing operating costs. The other is the YMCA child care space, to be located on the opposite wing. The YMCA’s move into the Community Centre building will free up classroom space at Oxford Regional Education Centre (OREC).
The Community Centre’s own fitness centre, a membership-based operation that will be located beside the Library area, will have it’s own entrance. Membership fees there will also go toward keeping the lights on in the building. Additionally, rentals of the gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms will add to the building’s income stream.
Burkhardt says the OCC Committee is preparing to advertise for a position of facility manager, after which the remaining staffing positions will be announced. It is expected that some of the building’s operations will be covered by the community groups that rent space for their activities. The Community Centre will have a robust security system, with monitoring of public areas and all entrances can be individually or collectively locked, with swipe-card access where required. Lights and localized heating will be activated automatically as well, ensuring efficient use of resources (The federal government’s contribution to the project came under the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program).
Burkhardt says there are more exciting announcements to come between now and the late-Spring opening.
Charitable donation receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more. The Registered Charity number is 795913102RR0001.
Gifts may be made over 1–3 years. Donations can be made to the address below, hand delivered to Connie’s Financial at 4974 Main St, Oxford or via e-transfer at oxfordcommunitycentre@gmail.com
Oxford and Area Community Centre
PO Box 579
Oxford, NS
BOM 1P0
Website: www.oxfordcommunitycentre.ca
