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31 Friday , D ecem ber 17, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m RENOVATIONS AT ST. AIDANS: At left. Rev. Cheryl Fricker (left) and Dee McAulay cut the cake during a recent celebration of the first phase of renovations at St.Aidan's Anglican Church.At top right, Kai Daniel (left) and Teri Davis Ewan (right) enjoy a slice of the celebratory cake as the church offi- cials and congregation members thanked the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its contribution. At bot- tom right, Bishop Michael A. Bird and Angela DiCintio of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which boost- ed the project with a grant, were on hand for the celebration. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SIU/ OAKVILLE BEAVER The little church on the corner St. Aidans that serves Oakville's West River and Kerr Village neighbourhood recently celebrat- ed a new look. An open house was held at the church locat- ed at 318 Queen Mary Dr., to show off renova- tions made possible by funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the generosi- ty of the church and local community. It is just the beginning. A church is a local resource with great potential for good, helping to increase capacity and build community. We are grateful to have the opportunity to expand our potential to make a difference in our neighbourhood, said Rev. Cheryl Fricker. The renovations were the churchs response to needs identified by its community and addressed making its space more accessible and usable for community and needs-based pro- gramming. The first phase of the changes are now com- plete and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn, Angelo Di Cintio of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Rev. Bishop Michael Bird of the Niagara Diocese were on hand to participate in the rib- bon cutting at the open house. A $130,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant in 2009 provided a springboard to get the project underway. More fundraising is under- way and phase two plans are in the works. To date, a new ramp and electric door at the churchs north entrance have been added to make the building more accessible. The first floor of the building has been reconfigured to make the space more usable and comfortable for groups that meet there throughout the week. As well, two new washrooms, a kitchenette and servery area, lighting and sound systems were completed this fall as part of phase one. Through its local outreach, St. Aidan's shares its space with many service agencies and partners who are able to offer innovative educational and support services for those in need. St. Aidan's has again become a hub in the community and a much needed gathering place for the neighbourhood, according to Fricker. In partnership with organizations like T.E.A.C.H., the Halton Multicultural Council, Art House, Ace, Hopedale Nursery School and Kindermusik, to name just a few, quality pro- grams that directly serve the needs of children, youths, seniors, and new immigrants are offered. For more information, visit www.staidansoakville.org. Construction at little church on the corner