Adam MacDonald
Community members came together last Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the new Fernie Women’s Resource Centre. Newcomers and longtime supporters alike were treated to a barbecue, live music, and cake, and attendants were invited to view the newly renovated building. Starting in the late '70s, with nothing more than a few women getting together and talking about some of the issues women face in the Elk Valley, the Resource Centre, over the past four decades, has grown to house 15 staff members, various community programs, and approximately 300 clients per month. “It’s been great to watch it grow and change,” says Lynn Mace, who celebrates 25 years with the Centre this year. Many programs supported by the Centre have been around since the early ‘90s, and will continue with the new building, along with a new safe house, drop-in centre, and general programs area. “We had a lot of amazing community support,” said Lauren Fox, an outreach worker at the centre. “Everyone just really came together to make this happen for us and make it a really beautiful place.” For more information on the centre and the programs and services available, visit their website at www.ferniewomenscentre.com or drop in at 1592 10th Avenue to see the new facility.