The Ray-Cam community centre on East Hastings Street at the edge of Strathcona owes much of its expansion to the dedication and vision of committed volunteers, organizers and parents.
Since its 1987 opening as a 9,500-square-foot building, Ray-Cam added a second floor, a gymnasium, weight room, a seniors lounge and more recreation and administrative space as well as a front counter, and has since grown by an additional 15,600 square feet. The centre also runs a licensed daycare and dozens of sports and educational programs. Now, one of the world's largest corporations has sponsored the latest changes at the co-operative community centre. Coca-Cola Canada donated $350,000 to Ray-Cam to build an outdoor court suited for basketball and ball hockey. The investment will also fund three years of sports programming and leadership classes.
The corporation listened to the ideas and desires of residents living in the community who rely on Ray-Cam for a social hub and for its many services. B.C. Housing operates a large residential complex on the same block as the centre.
Key advisors included teenagers such as James Naknakin and siblings Sadia and Samir Ibrahim. The court officially opened Nov. 17.
Steve Bouchard, president of the Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre, said the positive impact will be immediate and long-lasting.
"The sport court is just the beginning," he said in a prepared statement. "The results of this investment will be felt for generations to come."
A year before the 2010 Winter Olympics, Coca-Cola reportedly approached Legacies Now, the philanthropic division of the Vancouver Games designed to generate community benefits for the host cities.
A lacrosse rink had previously been removed at Ray-Cam and a proposal highlighted the need for an outdoor court. Coke had their project. Although accepting money from a multinational forprofit soft-drink conglomerate ruffled the ethical feathers of some bystanders, Chris Hildbrand said Coca-Cola was the opposite of heavy-handed and did not seem driven to advertise their contribution.
He said, "Coke's entire concern was: what do you guys want? What can we provide?"
Hildbrand works in the Downtown Eastside for More Sports, a grassroots Vancouver sports program that emphasizes physical education and cultivates leadership skills to turn teenagers and young adults into mentors for other youth. More Sports contributed to planning the project by connecting a number of its youth athletic mentors with an advisory committee.
Hildbrand expects the court to be used year-round. "In the summer, it will get used a ton. I guarantee you there will be kids playing basketball out there tonight."
