As 2023 brought challenges to those with the Poplar Point Community Centre, the surrounding communities are doing their best to keep their doors open.

On Saturdays, the Poplar Point Community Centre transforms into the Thrift Store, and they held a bake sale on March 23 to raise money to prevent the building from closing. Secretary Danielle Bergeron says they ran the centre at a deficit last year because they needed to repair the hot water tank.

"We run the thrift store to try and keep the community centre running," notes Bergeron. "We have community members meet here, we have the town potluck, and we have a lunch group that runs on a volunteer basis. It's important for our community; we have nowhere else to gather and share."

Bergeron adds that the community understands how important the centre is, leading to an excellent turnout of people donating baked goods for the sale, which was then sold out. Visitors from St. Ambroise also made the trip, helping the centre raise over $750.

"We rent out our community centre for $50," notes Bergeron. That helps us raise funds to keep the center running."

If you want to rent the space, you can inquire at poplarpointcommunitycentre@gmail.com.