Former school is a successful hub for poor neighbourhood

The elementary school had always been the heart of this struggling but proud neighbourhood.

When Robert Land closed in 2004, residents worried it would deliver a death blow to this impoverished section of the city's industrial core -- Wentworth Street North and Burlington Street East -- where modest homes share space with scrap yards and factories.

But thanks to a relentless drive by a community association, tireless volunteers and the support of local businesses, the 95-year-old building is now a thriving community hub called the Eva Rothwell Centre.

An outreach drive and celebration on the weekend proved the Keith neighbourhood's heartbeat is stronger than ever.

Volunteers combed the neighbourhood Saturday morning, knocking on more than 600 doors. They asked residents what they would like to see offered at the centre, solicited volunteers, offered free memberships and invited them over for a barbecue, entertainment and prizes later in the day. It's estimated more than 400 people showed up.

"There's a lot of new faces here and faces I haven't seen in years," said Heidi St. Pierre, a volunteer with the centre who grew up in the neighbourhood. "I hope it will bring more people to the centre."

The Robert Land Community Association operates the centre with the Lakeshore chapter of Project Managers Institute (PMI). Volunteers with PMI are leading the drive to develop a strategic plan for the community centre.