he Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre has reached an agreement to purchase the former TD Bank building in Dresden, with plans to transform the property into a new community hub serving youth, families and the broader community.
The organization announced Friday that the building will become the new Sidestreets Community Hub. Youth drop-in programming will be the first initiative launched, with additional programming expected to expand over time to include community events, family activities, workshops, meetings, senior activities and partnerships with local organizations.
“This is an exciting and meaningful step forward for our organization and for the community,” said Lori Ouellette, board chair of the Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre. “This space gives us the opportunity to expand youth programming while also creating a place where the entire community can come together. We see this as an investment not just in youth, but in the future of Dresden.”
The youth centre, which has served local youth since 2000, said the new facility will provide increased capacity, improved accessibility and new opportunities for collaboration and community engagement.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff voiced support for the project in a recent letter.
“The Youth Centre has long been recognized as a valued nonprofit organization that provides meaningful programs, mentorship, and community-building opportunities for local youth. Their presence and ongoing initiatives contribute significantly to the social and cultural vitality of Dresden and the broader community,” Canniff said.
“Securing this location will not only strengthen the Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre’s ability to continue offering these important services but would also enhance the vibrancy of the downtown core. Their investment in this property would support local revitalization efforts, increase community engagement, and contribute positively to the long-term growth and well-being of the area.”
The organization said the transformation of the former bank building into a community hub will bring renewed activity and purpose to a well-known downtown landmark.
Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre thanked TD Bank for accepting its offer and working with the organization to help make the purchase possible. The organization also acknowledged lawyer Stuart K. Kiar, realtor Karen Melton, Mayor Canniff and councillors McGrail, Jubenville and McDonald for their support throughout the process.
The purchase and renovations of the building will be funded through the sale of the youth centre’s current facility. Work to prepare the new location is expected to begin in the coming months, with youth drop-in programming slated to launch once the space is ready. Additional programming and community uses are expected to be added as the hub grows.
Dresden Sidestreets Youth Centre is a registered charitable organization that has served youth in Dresden since 2000 through programming focused on mentorship, life skills and positive community engagement.
