Banwell Community Church unveils long-awaited $3M ‘outreach’ centre

Banwell Community Church unveiled its new Community Outreach Centre in Windsor, Ont. on Jan. 25, 2025. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

After more than two decades of planning and fundraising, Banwell Community Church has officially opened its long-awaited Community Outreach Centre.

The new $3 million facility, attached to the church at the corner of Banwell Road and McNorton Street, features a gymnasium, a commercial-grade kitchen, a mezzanine lounge, and multi-purpose spaces designed to accommodate basketball, volleyball, concerts, and community programs.

Pastor Steven Amorin, the church’s lead pastor, said the opening marks the fulfillment of a vision that began when the church was first built in 2003.

“When we first built this building, we had a vision to create a Community Outreach Centre with a gym and a kitchen. Unfortunately, finances didn’t allow for it at the time,” Amorin said.

“Now, 20 years later, the mortgage has been paid off, and we’ve had the opportunity to complete the project we envisioned back then.”

The centre, he added, is designed to welcome people of all ages and backgrounds.

“We’re excited to nourish not just souls, but minds and bodies as well,” he said.

“We’re welcoming people to have meals, take part in ministries, and engage in activities for children, youth, and seniors. This space will be a hub of ministry and activity in the community.”

Including “outreach” in the name of the community centre was chosen with intention. According to Amorin, it highlights the church’s mission to go beyond its walls and engage with the broader community.

While the Outreach Centre will primarily support the church’s programs, it will also be available for use by external groups, such as Toastmasters or the local diabetes associations.

“We’re excited to have this be a hub of ministry and activity in our community,” said Amorin.

One of the features of the new centre is an upper-level mezzanine that overlooks the main gymnasium. Fundraising efforts are underway to cover the cost of furniture, which will turn it into a youth hangout space.

According to church board chair Vladimir Kralik, the community centre was meant to be built alongside the rest of the church in 2003.

“But because the funds dried up at that time, the church decided to postpone this as a phase two,” said Kralik.

After delays caused by economic challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, the space is now open.

“During the ups and downs, people at this church kept dreaming about what was possible,” Kralik said.

“Here we are today, after so many years, standing in this spot will be open for church ministries and various groups.”