Community-minded partners team up to launch The Springs: a multi-purpose development that positively impacts Tri-Cities residents
Community members gathered to celebrate the opening of The Springs – a new development serving a wide range of individuals and families in the Tri-Cities area.
The Springs is the culmination of the vision of community-minded leaders who joined together to strengthen their region. From affordable housing, to community space and a church, to a child development centre, The Springs represents what can happen when an unlikely group of partners team up to do good.
Located on St. Johns and Spring street in Port Moody, The Springs is on the site formerly occupied by St. Andrews United Church (now Inlet United Church). Inlet United, along with Catalyst Community Developments and Kinsight, shared a vision to redevelop the site to create flexible space, housing and family services, including:
- A new church and community space (Inlet United Church, an amalgamation of St. Andrews and IOCO United Churches)
- affordable rental housing – 55 residential units, including homes for people served by Kinsight (Catalyst and St. Andrew’s Port Moody Housing Society)
- Tri-Cities Children’s Centre (Kinsight and SHARE Family & Community Services)
“It is a joy for Inlet United Church to see this new Port Moody building – The Springs – completed with our partners Catalyst, Kinsight, and the St. Andrew’s Port Moody Housing Society,” explains Reverend Julie Lebrun, Inlet United Church. “This building is proof that together, we can do more than any of our organizations on our own. A wonderful new place for the people of Port Moody and beyond for years to come,” Lebrun adds.
The new church space includes an open gathering space to accommodate up to 120 people, a kitchen, meeting rooms and an indoor labyrinth used for walking meditation. The open space offers flexible use options for church services, Children’s Centre programs and community service groups.
Residents have begun moving in to the development’s 55 units of affordable housing. The new homes mean opportunities for young adults moving out for the first time, seniors downsizing, or families looking for a space to call home.
“The Springs is a really wonderful project that leans on partnerships to further enhance community benefit and social good. Through working with the Inlet United Church, Kinsight, and other community partners, the project was able to deliver wonderful new and affordable homes for various individuals and families in Port Moody. The project was also made possible through funding from BC Housing, and support from the City of Port Moody and Metro Vancouver,” says Helen Lui, Catalyst Development Manager. “I hope this project and partnership inspires further opportunities to create communities with affordable housing and flexible spaces.”
The Tri-Cities Children’s Centre, a collaboration between Kinsight and SHARE, will serve more than 2,000 children and youth with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families each year. The centre brings together a variety of professionals to provide services ranging from child development programs to speech language therapy to parent supports.
“After a decades-long dream, we have opened the doors to the Tri-Cities Children’s Centre, as part of the larger Springs development, and the impact on our community is significant,” says Christine Scott, CEO of Kinsight. “We envisioned a development that would feature much needed children’s services and be a welcoming space for families and community members, and together we have made it a reality.”
“The Tri-Cities Children’s Centre is more than a building – it is a place where children and youth with special needs and their families can get the support they need to reach their full potential. From children struggling to first learn to walk or talk, to those children and youth living with significant medical and/or developmental challenges, the Children’s Centre is here to help. We are grateful to our founding donors and staff at SHARE and Kinsight for their work in bringing this much-needed resource to our community,” adds Claire MacLean, CEO, SHARE Family & Community Services Society.
The Springs partners celebrated the opening on July 7th and recognized the many community and business members who made the development possible – from donors to elected officials to neighbours.
About The Springs
The Springs is a mixed use development located at 2312 St. Johns Street and 2315 Spring
Street in Port Moody. The four-story development includes space for Inlet United Church, 55 residential homes for low to moderate income individuals and families, and the Tri-Cities Children’s Centre serving families of children and youth with developmental disabilities. The Springs was created through a partnership of Inlet United Church, Catalyst Community Developments Society, and Kinsight – along with its partner SHARE.
The Springs is located on the traditional and unceded land of the Tsleil Waututh and Kwikwetlem First Nations people. The Springs acknowledges the original keepers of this land with humility and gratitude.
About Inlet United Church
Inlet United Church was created out of an amalgamation of two long-standing churches: St. Andrews and IOCO United Churches, and named “Inlet” – drawing on the symbolic body of water and point of entry. Inlet has deep roots in the community, providing weekly in-person and Zoom worship, Centre prayer gatherings, Healing Pathway sessions and a number of activities such as movie club, the Spring Street Community Kitchen cooking lessons, meditative labyrinth walks and mental wellness programs. Learn more at: Inletunited.ca
About Catalyst Community Developments Society
Catalyst is a BC-based not-for-profit real estate developer whose mission is to build community by developing, owning and operating vibrant, affordable and inspiring places to live and work. The Springs is one of nine developments Catalyst has created together with non-profit partners who share their goal to reinvest real estate assets to bring greater value to BC communities. Learn more at: catalystcommdev.org
About the Tri-Cities Children’s Centre – Kinsight & SHARE
The Tri-Cities Children’s Centre is a child development centre that serves children and youth with developmental delays or disabilities and their families from Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra. The Children’s Centre is a collaboration between two not-for-profit organizations — Kinsight and SHARE Family & Community Services — who bring together all of the professionals, equipment and support children require to reach their full potential. In addition to the Children’s Centre, The Springs is home to Kinsight and SHARE’s administrative offices.
Kinsight – Kinsight works alongside families of children, youth and adults with developmental delays or disabilities to support growth, development and social inclusion and personal well-being. Kinsight’s vision is a world where Everyone’s Welcome. Everyone Belongs, Everywhere. Learn more at: kinsight.org
SHARE exists to connect, engage and strengthen individuals and families. SHARE provides a range of services to vulnerable children, youth, families, adults and seniors. SHARE’s vision is a strong community that welcomes everyone to live, participate, contribute and reach their full potential. Learn more at: Sharesociety.ca