New facility aims to centralize programs and supports in north Red Deer
Hope Mission has broken ground on a new community centre on the city’s north side that will provide prevention and support programs for children, youth and families, the Christian charity confirmed this week. The project is sited at 139 Northey Ave in the Normandeau neighbourhood and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2027.
The single-storey, multi-purpose building will span 21,845 square feet and include a gymnasium, kitchen and seating area. A building permit for the project was issued last month, clearing the way for construction to proceed on the former Unity Baptist Church property.
“We care deeply about the kids and families here and we want to do what we can to support them and help them succeed, to empower them and build strength and resilience in their homes,” said Scott Barclay, senior manager with Hope Mission’s Southern Alberta Prevention Programs.
Hope Mission has delivered services in Red Deer since 2015, operating through school partnerships and a local office at 140-6660 Taylor Drive. The new centre is intended to consolidate programming into a permanent, visible home where staff, volunteers and partner organisations can deliver free programs and supports year-round.
Partnerships, land donation and fundraising
The site on Northey Ave was donated to Hope Mission by Unity Baptist Church a couple of years ago; the congregation plans to return to the property and operate in the new building alongside Hope Mission. That local donation short-circuits a common hurdle in community projects — securing a centrally located parcel with community ties.
Fundraising remains active. Hope Mission has applied for government grants at the provincial and federal levels while continuing local fundraising efforts. The organisation has not released confirmed totals for construction costs; officials have committed only to raising the necessary funds through a mix of grants and donations.
- Facility size: 21,845 sq. ft.
- Location: 139 Northey Ave, Normandeau
- Planned features: gymnasium, kitchen, seating area
- Target completion: spring 2027
- Programs: free of charge
Modelled on Edmonton centre with two decades of history
Hope Mission says the Red Deer centre will be similar in scope to its Tegler Youth Centre in Edmonton, which has offered activities, meals and mentorship since 2002. That centre has been a template for combining drop-in supports with structured prevention programming — a model Hope Mission hopes to replicate in Red Deer.
For families and service providers in Red Deer, a dedicated facility removes some of the logistical barriers that come with scattered programming: travel between sites, dependence on school facilities and the constraints of temporary or leased spaces. The centre will offer spaces for young people to gather, for caregivers to connect, and for volunteers to deliver mentorship and meals.
City stakeholders and local agencies have been in discussions with Hope Mission for roughly a decade, Scott Barclay said, underscoring how long-term relationship-building helped move the project from concept to construction.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 139 Northey Ave, Normandeau |
| Size | 21,845 sq. ft. |
| Key features | Gymnasium, kitchen, seating area |
| Timeline | Construction started August 2026, expected completion spring 2027 |
Hope Mission’s presence in Red Deer since 2015 means the organisation is not new to the local service landscape. Up to now, programs have been offered largely through partnerships with schools and from a small office at Taylor Drive. Moving into a purpose-built facility will expand capacity and visibility.
For a city with steady growth and a rising demand for youth prevention services, the centre represents an investment in supports that could reduce pressures on schools and emergency services over time. Progress on fundraising and grant approvals will determine whether the project can remain on schedule and fully deliver the programming outlined.
Residents and potential donors interested in details or partnership opportunities are directed to Hope Mission’s local contacts. As the project advances, municipal planners and social-service providers will be watching for how the new centre integrates with existing supports across Red Deer.
