The Basilica Recreation Centre — Before and After

some twenty years ago, the mission statement of the Centre described it a ‘community’ centre, and it truly is. Without the support and patronage of the community at large, the parish could not afford to keep it. We are grateful for

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that support. To all our patrons, a sincere ‘thank you .

It is interesting to note that the first chair of the board in 1963 was Eugene Cullen and today, the chair of the property and finance committee is his son, Tom Cullen. Father Danny Wilson became pastor of the Basilica when Father

Tingley went to Vernon in 1999.

During the late 19905 and through the early 20005, the possibility and desirability of selling the centre was discussed several times by the parish council. In 2002, the Guardian featured a story about this radical change:

“BASIL/CA REC CENTER PUT ON SALES BLOCK”

“St. Dunstan’s Basilica committee will start process of finding a new owner for facility. The Basilica Recreation Centre in Charlottetown is seeking a new

owner.

“The property and finance committee of St. Dunstan’s Basilica has obtained permission from the pastor, Fr. Danny Wilson, and the Roman Catholic diocese to begin looking for a new owner of the multi-use recreational complex on

Richmond Street.

“‘We had a meeting with the staff last week to advise them of our intention,’ said Tom Cullen, chair of the committee.

“He said a request for proposals has been sent to real estate companies to allow the committee to select a company that will put the centre on the market. That selection process will take about two more weeks, said Cullen.

“He also met with the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry to advise them of the

sale so they could prepare for any changes to the location of the Upper Room Kitchen now housed in the Rec Centre.

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