It was a summer of growth at Oaklands Community Centre

›› Ben Clark

It was a summer of growth at ­Oaklands Community Centre. In June, we ­welcomed a new Executive Director, Traci Fontana-Wegelin, to our organization. Traci came to us after spending several years with North Island Community Services Society, and we are very fortunate to have her with us.

We also saw growth with the ­expansion of our Farmers’ Markets. Due to the ­popularity of the six markets that we held in 2013, this program grew to a weekly event including 16 markets between June and September. The unique combination of all our great vendors, local bands playing live music, and Hoyne Brewing Co. and Sea Cider supplying our beverage garden brought a fun and lively atmosphere to the neighbourhood.

With the markets coming to an end and school back in session, we are looking ­forward to many events this fall, including an Oktoberfest Celebration on October 4th and the West Coast Winter Market on November 29th.

We will soon be finalizing a new five-year strategic plan for the ­organization. This plan takes a triple bottom line approach and represents more than a year of working with the board, staff, and ­public to identify our priorities and where we can best help build our community. The plan will set the stage for many opportunities to volunteer and get involved in specific projects and special events. More information about the ­strategic plan, along with ticket ­information for the fall events described above can be found at oaklandscommunitycentre.­com.