Improving accessibility at Les Compagnons

Full accessibility was the order of the day for members of Centre culturel Les Compagnons de francs loisirs Friday.

Thanks to a $101,900 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, access to the francophone community centre will go from an antiquated cumbersome chairlift to a fully functioning wheelchair accessible elevator.

MPP Monique Smith says Les Compagnons plays a vital role in the community and having an elevator opens the club for members and community groups looking to use the facility.



President of Les Compagnons, Roland Rochon, says that stairs can be very challenging for their senior population and often prevents them from attending events, but with the elevator they will be able to accommodate all who come through the door.



Full details in the news release below.

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Le Centre culturel Les Compagnons des francs loisirs held a luncheon to celebrate the francophone volunteers in our community, and the Honourable Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing, took the opportunity to celebrate with the community, the announcement of Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) funding to improve the community space. The accessibility renovations will be undertaken, thanks to a $101,900 grant from the OTF.

“Les Compagnons play a vital role in our francophone community,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “Today’s announcement of an elevator installation is great news for the organization. The added accessibility will enable all members of the francophone community and many other community groups to continue to enjoy wonderful recreational and social activities.”

The $101,900 OTF grant is being used to install an elevator and to create meeting space, making the centre more accessible to hall users. Le Centre culturel Les Compagnons des francs loisirs is now able to better serve the needs of their existing clientele, but also can promote the use of their facility to a wider range of people. The space is currently used by a variety of local organizations at minimal cost, not exclusive to the Francophone community, for various purposes including wedding receptions, meetings and special events.

“Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The North Bay Francophone community is delighted about this project,” said Roland Rochon, President of Centre culturel Les Compagnons des francs loisirs. “Our cultural centre will be accessible to a greater number of people. Congratulations on your grant!”

Le Centre culturel Les Compagnons des francs loisirs incorporated as a not-for-profit in 1964. Their mission is to promote French Canadian culture and identity; as well as to provide activities, entertainment and special events for the Francophones and broader North Bay community. For more information, please visit www.lescompagnons.info.

A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. www.trilliumfoundation.org.

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