Chetwynd Friendship Centre receives accessibility grant

CHETWYND, B.C. — A recent business improvement grant is helping a Chetwynd non-profit make its building more accessible. 

The Tansi Friendship Centre Society in Chetwynd has received a $5,000 business improvement facade grant from the District of Chetwynd. 

Claire D’Silva, the executive director at Tansi Friendship Centre, said it has been looking to renovate since purchasing the building in 2021.

“Slowly over time, we’ve tried to upgrade some of the things that are necessary, and currently, the exterior is original wood. It is deteriorating, and it was painted over when we bought it, but we always knew that we’d need to improve, make it more durable, weather-resistant and more long-lasting.” 

D’Silva said she learned about the business facade improvement grant while applying for another grant.

“I actually ended up getting a grant from the National Association of Friendship Centres last July and it was for $250,000. In doing our permit application, the district told me about their facade grant.” 

According to D’Silva, the centre has always dreamed of making its building more accessible to the needs of its clients. Over the last three years, it has installed accessible automatic doors and an accessible bathroom. 

D’Silva said the grant will help them continue to support it’s clients.

“Right now, the very back door is where most of our clients who are wheelchair users or walker users enter the building due to the main front steps being very unsafe…We’re going to use this money to make a nicer ramp through our exterior backdoor exit.”

D’Silva said in the future, should they get more grants, they will focus on repairing the front ramp, which is currently unusable due to worn-down concrete. 

According to D’Silva, construction is set to begin on Monday, April 20th, or Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. 

D’Silva said the centre supports 3,000 people per year, with 20 to 50 people walking through its doors every day.