Place Maillardville Society says goodbye after 24 years of service to Coquitlam

Place Maillardville Society will officially shutter next month after 24 years of community service.

A final news release from the society said its closure will leave gaps in inclusive affordable services and programming for families

“It’s sad news for this community and will be a sad day when the staff and volunteers, who have been the heart and souls of this organization, have to say goodbye,” said iris yong, president of the society.

The neighbourhood-based and volunteer-driven non-profit has been in operation since 2001, offering a range of programming for youth, seniors and families.

A goodbye from the society was released on April 8, stating the City of Coquitlam’s decision to cut funding in September, 2022, along with its requisition of their long-time facility on Cartier Avenue, proved too challenging to overcome.

While the society had other grant sources to keep it running for a short time, the release explained that the loss of the municipal subsidy led to a significant shortfall in operational costs.

“The combination of escalating overhead and administration expenses proved insurmountable,” the release stated.

Another blow came when the city rebuilt the old Place Maillardville Community Centre, and took over administration of the facility, which left the society without an operating location.

The society had an annual operating grant of $545,000 until it was decommissioned when the new Maillardville Community Centre opened up in 2022, according to the city

With the loss of its annual funding, the non-profit was forced to move its offices to Maillard Middle School in the fall of 2022, which strained its ability to deliver programming outside of school hours, according to the release.

Following the loss of their home base, some current and former staff expressed disappointment.

Darcy McNeil, a former employee of the society, described the city’s decision as a “backstabbing” in a letter to the Tri-City News.

The society’s last news release, however, made no allegations, instead thanking Maillard Middle School for offering space, and sorrow.

Executive Director Gord Pederson said their relationship with local middle school was more than two-decades long, and many former students went on to volunteer with the society.

In order to fill service gaps, the society’s executive leadership board are engaging in discussions with other community organizations, including city staff now operating out of Maillardville Community Centre.

“Our priority has always been the patrons and staff of Place Maillardville, and during our dissolution process, we will seek ways to mitigate the loss of the society’s presence in the community,” said Naomi Khan, director of the society.

The city said it will make efforts to address programming needs, and will provided a range of no and low cost programs to ensure continuity of service as much as possible.

“We understand how upsetting the news about the Société Place Maillardville Society ceasing operations will be for some members of the community,” the city wrote in an email to the Dispatch. “The city wishes to convey its sincere appreciation and thanks to the society for their many years of dedicated service delivery to the Maillardville neighbourhood.”

President iris yong was also contacted for comment, but no response was received by deadline.

The society encouraged residents to share stories, and celebrate memories to placemaillardvillesociety@gmail.com.