The Basilica Recreation Centre — BefiJre and After

“‘The Centre makes money,’ said Cullen. ‘This is not a distress sale. It is not going to be a bargain basement sale. It is profitable. We expect it will be sold as a going concern.’

“‘There are two main reasons for the sale,’ said Cullen, ‘and both figure equally in the decision to sell. One factor deals with the activities in and the uses of the Rec Centre. Originally, the Rec Centre served the community but it also served the parishioners of St. Dunstan’s.’

“‘As each year goes by it has less and less direct connection with the parishioners. At the present time we feel the activities at the Rec Centre, for the most part, are not a critical part of our mission and mandate at St. Dunstan’s. It is not an essential element of providing a service to our parishioners.

Basnllca Rec centre

pu 6; block

St. Dunstans Basilica committee will start process of finding a new owner for facility.

BY NIGEL ARMSTRONG THE GuARnIAN

The Basilica Recreation Centre in Charlottetown is seeking a new owner.

The property and finance committee of St. Dunstan’s Basilica has obtained permis- sion from the pastor, Father Danny Wilson, and the R0- man Catholic diocese to begin looking for a new owner of the multi—use recreational complex on Richmond Street.

“\Ve had a meeting with staff last week to advise them of our intentions." said Tom Cullen, chair of the commit- tee.

He said a request for pro- posals has been sent to real es— tate companies to allow the committee to select a compa~ ny that will put‘the centre on

ales;

the market That selection process will take about two more weeks, said Cullen.

He also met with the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry advise them of the sale so they could prepare for any change to the location of the Upper Room Kitchen now housed in the rec centre.

First opened in 1963 as a re— placement for the Holy Name Hall, the centre contains a bowling entertainment centre, a child care centre, meeting rooms, a popular‘weekly bin— go, banquet facilities and gym- nasium.

The centre makes money; said Cullen.

“This' is not a distress sale," he said. “It 15 not going to be a bargain basement sale. It is profitable. We expect it will be sold as a going concern!‘

”There are two main reasons

' for the sale, said Cullen, and

both figure equally in the de— cision to sell. . One factor deals with the

activities in and the uses of

the rec centre

61

"Originally, the rec centre served the community but it also served the parishioners of St. Dunstan’s,” said Cullen.

“As each year goes by it has less and less direct connection with the parishioners. At the present time we feel the activ- ities at the rec cenne, for the most part, are not a critical part of our mission and man~ date at St. Duntan's. It is not an essential element of pro~ viding a service to our parish— ' ioners

“Another part of this is. we have a massive cathedral that needs continued renovations," said'Cullen. “That job will be done on the cathedral so real~ 1y that task as far as property and finance goes requires our time and energy. 'I he rec cen- tre is taking time away from that more important task."

He said the sale will likely take time.

“We don't see this as some— thing happening' 1n a few weeks, " said Cullen. “A sale could be six to 24 months away.”