ARMP & Yellow Door Announce Opening of Centre Communautaire Galeries du Parc, Classes Forming Now

Association Récréative Milton Parc (A.R.M.P.) and The Yellow Door, two well established, non-profit community organizations, stalwarts in the downtown/Plateau Montreal neighborhood for many years, have joined forces to open the Centre Communautaire Galeries du Parc. This new community centre is on the easily accessible main level of les Galeries du Parc, situated at Jeanne-Mance and Prince Arthur streets. A wide variety of activities and classes at affordable prices are being offered to area residents and non-residents of all ages and backgrounds, including seniors, mothers with young children and youth. Proceeds from November’s Window into Fashion fundraising event at the Rialto contributed to getting the new Centre off the ground. Registration for spring courses is now open, with programs starting the week of April 9th. (ww.miltonpark.org for spring schedule)

The Yellow Door, a longstanding and respected community institution which organizes student visits to seniors, a drop-in seniors activity group, the renowned Coffee House which for years has featured many local and interNational Singers, along with the Association Récréative Milton-Parc (A.R.M.P.) headquartered at the Centre Multi-ethnique on St. Urbain, offering over 800 language, sports, dance, cultural and educational courses and programs to over 8,500 members of all ages – are collaborating on dozens of activities at the new Centre Communautaire Galeries du Parc.

The official opening ceremony took place in February and was attended by over 100 local residents. Also present were representatives of all three levels of government along with Lucia Kowaluk, president of the Milton Park Citizens Committee.

According to Terrence Regan, Executive Director of A.R.M.P., “The opening of this community centre is an historic first. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time in Québec that a multi-purpose community centre has opened in a commercial shopping complex in Québec. We are very excited to have the opportunity to offer our activities directly to people in the place where they work, live and shop. We are grateful to Second Investment Inc. and Redbourne Realty for this unique chance to help enhance the lives of members of the local community in a real and meaningful way.”

Pietro Bozzo, Executive Director of the Yellow Door for the past 17 years, sees the opening of the new Centre as a truly positive step forward in addressing a huge need for senior citizens: staying active physically, mentally, and socially. “We need to recognize the tremendous importance that social interaction and physical exercise play in maintaining a positive quality of life – especially for seniors. This new Centre will provide people over 50 years old with a great chance to stay healthy and active while meeting new friends. It will promote togetherness and develop a greater sense of community for people of all ages in this wonderfully diverse downtown neighbourhood.”

Registration is being accepted at the new Centre for a multitude of courses, all starting the week of April 9th. Programs specifically geared towards people over 50 years old include Yoga, Tai-Chi, Line Dance and Zumba, as well as Knitting, Art, Photography, Book and Film Discussion groups. Other courses for non-seniors include Hip-Hop, Swing Rock ‘N Roll, Baladi (Belly-Dancing), Zumba, Salsa, African Dance, Ballroom Dance, Tango and a Mama/Baby play group.

For information and to register for courses:
Milton Park (A.R.M.P.): 514 872-0566 www.miltonpark.org- see the new spring schedule
The Yellow Door: 514 845-2600 www.yellowdoor.org

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