A Centre for Social Change

Update: I’ve posted a wiki page with a more extensive listing of ideas and questions for this project: Calgary Centre for Social Change.

There is desperate need for an accessible, progressive, physical centre for a diverse range of activities in Calgary. Sort of a social change community centre.

There are a number of local groups and individuals who have been trying to put such a place together (or, at least, similar ideas), and many others who have expressed interest and support. I’m looking into connecting the various interested groups and individuals, and giving this project the push it needs to actually happen.

We probably won’t be able to accomodate all of these right away, but the ideal setup would incorporate most of the things on this list:

• Meeting/workshop rooms.
• Presentation/performance space (films, speakers, concerts,…).
• Ground-floor retail: book shop, green goods, gallery, café, library, etc.
• Offices.
• Daycare and/or safe child-play/child-minding space.
• Kitchen, ideally commercial-grade.
• Space for making stuff (banners, giant puppets, etc.).
• Studio space (audio/video recording, editing).
• Garden.
• Living quarters.
• Showers.
• Storage.