WHITNEY – A building left vacant by the relocation of Whitney Public School will be transformed into a much-needed community hub. On October 9, community dignitaries gathered at the former Whitney Public School for a sod-turning ceremony. They represented the Province of Ontario, the District of Nipissing Social Service Administration Board (NDSSAB), Killaloe Community Resource Centre, South Algonquin Township and the District of Nipissing Employment Resource Centre. Joseph Bradbury, CAO of NDSSAB, said the building will be retrofitted thanks to more than $900,000 in funding from the Province of Ontario. “We think this is going to be a nice centre for children within the south Algonquin region,” he said. “What a great site across a lovely river. We are hopeful that this project will be a part of bigger and better things that will continue to happen in this community,” he said. Bradbury thanked Mayor Jane Dumas for being instrumental in ensuring that the project came to fruition. “We have been asked many times when is this project being built. I can actually say that it will be done at the end of February,” Bradbury explained. The building is 4,000 square feet and will be used as a centralized hub for families and children. It will include an EarlyOn drop-in centre, a child care centre and other space for community partners like the District of Nipissing Employment Resource Centre. There will also be space for a community garden and a community access washroom for groups. To read the full story, pick up a copy of the October 17, 2018 Valley Gazette.