Stories that build bridges
What makes a centre truly special?
It’s not just the design, or even the programming, it’s the people who bring it to life.
Meet Beaconsfield residents who believe this project will build something bigger than a building: it will build community.
Their stories remind us why this space matters.
And how it will bring us closer, one bridge at a time.
Discover their stories.
Anna
Mom of two • Committee member, architecture jury, nature lover
For Anna, Beaconsfield isn’t just where she lives, it’s where she’s raising her two young children. It’s home.
A landscape architect by training, she was selected in 2019 to join the Reimagining SPACE steering committee, then again in 2024 to sit on the jury for the Centre’s architecture competition.
Her perspective bridges both personal and professional insight:
“As a mom, I want my children to grow up in a community with spaces that inspire them. As a designer, I’m proud of how this Centre honours the site. It doesn’t dominate the landscape. It blends into it, it lifts it.”
Anna believes the Centre will be a place that brings people together, across disciplines, generations, and communities.
A space to gather. To play. To celebrate.
- In the Centre, you might find Anna and her family
- In the main hall, the heart of the building
- At the bistro, reading magazines
- Reading in the children’s area, looking at the trees
- In the outdoor agora by the park, moving around and observing nature
- Anna’s favourite passport: Nature lovers
- Anna’s favourite bridge : Between culture and nature
Daniele
27 years in Beaconsfield • Mother, community leader, neighbour connector
When Daniele moved to Beaconsfield nearly 30 years ago, she didn’t know many people. As a new stay-at-home mom, she felt a deep need to connect. That’s when she found the Beaconsfield Newcomers Club, a group that welcomed her in and became a stepping stone to her involvement in the community.
Over the years, Daniele became the club’s president, collaborated with the City, and chaired Beaconsfield’s Centennial Celebrations in 2010. In 2019, she joined the Imagine Centennial steering committee, helping to shape the early vision for what would become the future Cultural Centre.
“This place will help anchor our community. It will bring us together for decades to come. It’s something we’ll leave behind for our children, and their children.”
Daniele dreams of the day when her daughter brings her own kids to the Centre, to read, learn, and maybe even celebrate Beaconsfield’s 200th.
For her, this isn’t just a project. It’s a bridge to the future.
- In the Centre, you might find Daniele:
- Attending an artistic performance in the Agora, in nature
- Experimenting in the Creation and technology lab
- Daniele’s favourite passports: Newcomers; Volunteers and community groups
- Daniele’s favourite bridge: Between residents
Leona
Active senior • Library volunteer, lifelong learner, community builder
Leona has called Beaconsfield home for decades, and she’s helped shape its community spirit just as long.
At the library, she helped launch two much-loved programs: Get Your Read On and Techno Squad, both designed to connect people across generations through learning, conversation, and support.
She remains actively involved today, through the Friends of the Library and the Age-Friendly Municipality initiative.
“The Centre is a bridge to connection,” she says.
“It’s where generations meet, and ideas spark.”
Leona sees the future Cultural Centre as a space of joy and belonging, a place where seniors, children, teens and newcomers can gather, learn, and share.
Whether it’s chatting over coffee after a book club, watching teens perform music, or taking part in an exhibit celebrating cultural diversity, she sees endless opportunities to connect.
And when she needs a moment of calm?
You’ll find her curled up with a good book by the window, overlooking the lake.
- In the Centre, you might find Leona:
- In the adult reading area, by the windows
- In the multipurpose hall, participating in a senior cocktail hour
- Leona’s favourite passports: Volunteers and community groups; Older adults
- Leona’s favourite bridge: Between activity and relaxation
Michèle
Community volunteer • Longtime resident, builder of belonging
Michèle and her family settled in Beaconsfield in 2011 after living in several Canadian cities. What started as a stop became a destination and a lasting home.
For over a decade, she focused on raising her children and giving back: volunteering at the elementary school, swim club, community pool, and with the Amis du Village Beaurepaire. She’s always found ways to build connection through action.
“To feel like you belong, you need places where people come together,” she says.
Now back in the workforce, Michèle remains involved through community activities and music. She sings in a local choir and looks forward to the day the new Les Amis du Village Beaurepaire Choir performs at the Centre.
She sees the future Cultural Centre as exactly what Beaconsfield needs: a vibrant space designed to spark conversation, creativity, and connection.
Flexible rooms. A welcoming bistro. Pathways to wander, and places to stay.
For Michèle, this project isn’t just about spaces.
It’s about voices coming together, in harmony.
- In the Centre, you might find Michèle:
- Walking her dogs along the park trails early in the morning
- Singing with her choir at a future concert in the multipurpose hall
- Michèle’s favourite passport: Volunteers and community groups
Michèle’s favourite bridge: Between land and water
Wade
Former City Councillor • Champion of knowledge and community
Wade has long been a familiar face in Beaconsfield’s civic and cultural life. As a former City Councillor and active member of the Friends of the Beaconsfield Library, he’s always believed in the power of public and shared spaces, especially libraries, to bring people together.
He was a member of the Reimagining SPACE steering committee in 2019, helping guide early conversations around the project.
His vision? A space anchored by knowledge, but alive with connection.
“The library will be the beating heart of this building,” he says.
“It’s the reason people will walk through the doors, and once they’re in, they’ll discover the rest. That’s how bridges are built.”
Wade believes that lifelong learning isn’t just a value, it’s a necessity for a thriving community. For him, the future Cultural Centre will be a place where residents of all ages can grow, share, and connect.
A place to be curious. And a place to belong.
- In the Centre, you might find Wade:
- In the adult reading area, reading a book
- In one of our community rooms, attending a meeting
- In an outdoor space, looking at the lake and the beautiful landscape
- Wade’s favourite passport: Book lovers
- Wade’s favourite bridges: Between generations, ideas, and cultures
A vision rooted in community
The Lemay concept is directly inspired by public input and resident-led consultations. It reflects the voices of residents who dreamed of an accessible, inclusive, sustainable and vibrant gathering place, a shared space for the future of Beaconsfield.
