North Preston Community Centre (NPCC) has received federal funding to repurpose a building into an Afrocentric hub that will serve local youth and community members.

The society received $121,443 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund in October.

The funds will be used will go towards the growth of the centre as it will serve as a place for youths to gather and learn about their history. The society has already updated the town’s welcome sign with a new design as part of the project.

"This new sign gives us makes us proud to be where we're from and proud to be back in our community. So everything that our organization is doing is for us, by us, and for us to be more proud of who we are," said NPCC founder Miranda Cain.

The society has updated the town’s welcome sign. Photo contributed.

The society also received $60,000 from Black Business Initiative Society for any additional requirements and support such as workshop training.

North Preston's Future Community Organization Society was first established in 2015. Cain said they requested the funding a few years ago, after noticing that there wasn't much growth in their community.

"This is a place where you can come and feel at home and feel comfortable to know that this belongs to you. For our kids, we're going to have a little ice cream stand there where they can come in and purchase ice cream and candy, since there are no convenience stores at all in our community. If our kids wanted to go anywhere they have to travel so far. So this is just a start," said Cain.

The new hub will also include an information booth for visitors and a creative space for community members to make art.

The new Afrocentric hub will be ready in the spring 2023.

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