In 2024, Kingsdale residents shared with us a powerful vision for their community centre – a welcoming, inclusive, and active space where everyone belongs and feels connected.

In response, we formed the new Kingsdale Community Centre Advisory Committee (KCCAC). This is a group of dedicated volunteers who live in or care about this neighbourhood. Their purpose? To ensure the Kingsdale Community Centre reflects the needs, strengths, and dreams of the people it serves.

Now, we’re excited to share the next step in this journey: a new community engagement process focused on asset mapping.

We are inviting neighbours to get involved by mapping out our neighbourhood’s gifts, strengths, and opportunities – and sharing ideas for new programs and initiatives based on what’s already strong. We want to understand the gifts the community has, even though we may not yet know what community involvement could look like.

At the end, we will have a set of actions our neighbourhood will take together, so Kingsdale can continue to grow and thrive.

Help map our neighbourhood’s strengths

Tell us what strengths you see in the Kingsdale neighbourhood – and share your gifts!

Asset mapping is a way to uncover and celebrate the gifts, strengths, and resources already present in our community. Instead of focusing on what’s missing, we’re asking: What’s strong in Kingsdale? And what skills, passions, and knowledge do residents have to share?

We’re using a model that looks at six types of community assets:

  • People – the talents and passions of individuals
  • Outdoor spaces – parks, gardens, and gathering places
  • Organizations and services – groups that support and connect us
  • Local businesses – the shops and services that keep our neighbourhood vibrant
  • Community groups – informal networks and associations
  • Local stories, history, and culture – the unique identity of Kingsdale

By mapping our community’s assets together, we can better tap into and build on the gifts, strengths, and opportunities in our abundant neighbourhood. From there, we will work together with you to develop resident-led programs and initiatives that bring neighbours together and reflect what matters most to our community.

  • We’ll be out in our community over the summer, having conversations with people who live in or visit Kingsdale.
  • Join us at the Kingsdale movie night on September 6! We’ll have interactive activities family members of all ages can take part in.
  • If you’d like to share your ideas and thoughts with us, reach out to Ismail at ismail.mohamed@kitchener.ca
  • Or, while you’re here, answer a few questions online. It only takes 5 minutes.

This summer, we’ll be gathering your input through conversations, surveys, and events. In the fall, we’ll come together to make sense of what we’ve heard and co-create a resident-led plan for Kingsdale. This plan will guide new programs and initiatives at the community centre – created by and for neighbours.

We believe that every person has something valuable to offer. Whether you’ve lived here for decades or just moved in, your voice matters.

The Kingsdale Community Centre Advisory Committee is a group of passionate volunteers dedicated to better understanding the diverse needs of residents in the Kingsdale neighbourhood. Their goal is to gather input from the community and use that insight to recommend improvements to the programs, services, and events offered at the centre – ensuring they reflect what residents truly want and need.

Updates

2024 Questionnaire

What we heard

Thanks to everyone who answered our questionnaire or spoke with us at the 2024 Summer Splash Bash and Outdoor Movie Night ! We heard that what neighbours hope for most at Kingsdale Community Centre is:

  • Belonging and inclusion: A space where everyone feels at home, including newcomers, families, and people with disabilities.
  • All ages programming: More offerings for underrepresented age groups (13–55), like hands-on, cultural, and wellness activities.
  • Better communication: Clearer promotion of programs and easier access to information.
  • Accessibility: Physically inclusive spaces, extended hours, and more free room access.
  • Vibrant atmosphere: A lively, safe, and supportive environment with events, outdoor spaces, and opportunities to connect and build relationships.
  • Community voice: Having more of a say in decisions and programming at the centre.

Moving forward, these themes will inform the selection, design, and delivery of new programming at the centre. Also, in response to your comments, we created the Kingsdale Community Centre Advisory Committee (KCCAC). This volunteer group recommends changes to our programs, services, and events to ensure they reflect what residents truly want and need.