SFCS is gearing up for a big project, and looking to raise money

Jeff Green | Mar 01, 2023

This week, Southern Frontenac Community Services announced that the contract has been awarded for their long awaited expansion project, at the Grace Centre in Sydenham, to the construction firm Emmons and Mitchell. The project is being managed by Todd Colbourne of the architectural firm Colbourne and Kembel, who worked on the project design.

"We are thrilled to be working with Emmons and Mitchell on this important project," said Heather Rogers, director of operations of Southern Frontenac Community Services. "Their commitment to quality, and attention to detail, will help ensure that this new facility is able to provide the highest level of service to our community."

The new building will broaden access to a range of services for seniors, including social and recreational activities, health and wellness programs, and support for independent living.

The project will also allow agency office staff, as well as the food bank, which serves over 200 local residents each month, to be housed in a permanent, accessible building, instead of the portables that they have been working in for the better part of a decade.

“These portables were always to be a ‘temporary’ solution, and were not designed to deliver services as long as they have,” said South Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) Executive Director Greg Foster. “Nor were they designed to handle the amount of demand that they now face, particularly as the need for the food bank has increased. The portables are not functional for staff and clients. There are no washrooms, the roof leaks and they are not properly heated.”

Another critical part of the new Grace Centre will be an expanded lower level in the new building extension. The ground level will house a fully accessible reception area, a confidential meeting space for clients, additional meeting spaces and badly needed offices for agency staff.

While construction is set to begin in earnest in early April, a new septic system went in last fall.

The project will start to have an impact on services at the Grace Centre this month. The location of some of SFCS's programs will be moved as the agency gets ready for the start of the construction project.

“We have reached out to our community partners, and friends, to temporarily relocate our vital services to other locations. When the Grace Centre needed assistance, organisations such as Sydenham Legion, the Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church and the Verona Lions Hall were quick to answer the call,” said Foster.

The food bank will still be located on site, in the Grace Hall itself, but programming that normally takes place in the hall will be moved to the other locations.

For details about temporary locations for the Good Grace's Cafe, exercise classes, euchre and other programming, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-376-6477, ext. 310.

The project has been supported by major grants from the Township of South Frontenac ($750,000), a provincial infrastructure grant ($250,000) as well as over $500,000 in community donations.

“The community, the township and the province have been generous,” said Foster, “but the project still needs more funding. Our original costing has changed, and changed again due to increases in the cost of materials and labour. The initial $1.75 million price tag is now about $2.5 million, and we are now launching a final campaign to avoid financing the rest of the cost, which will hinder our ability to maintain and expand services for the community.

“By contributing to this project, donors can help improve the lives of vulnerable community members and promote a stronger, healthier, and more connected community for all.”

SFCS provides services for seniors and vulnerable adults in South Frontenac, at the Grace Centre and in the local hamlets. Services for seniors include: Meals on Wheels, Diners Club, Adult Day Program, Footcare, Respite, In-Home services and respite, transportation, and social and recreational activities.

The Grace Centre Food Bank, services for youth and volunteer bereavement/hospice, are some of the other services at SFCS.

For further information about the building project or how to donate to SFCS, Contact Ken Foster – Executive Director, Southern Frontenac Community Services at The Grace Centre 613-376-6477 ext.301 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.sfcsc.ca