The Caledonia Community Hall is now officially owned and operated by the St. Bernardin Historical and Cultural Society following the transfer of the property from The Nation Municipality.
The transition gives the local organization full responsibility for the community hall and surrounding facilities, including the ball diamond, playground structures, outdoor rink and multisport court.
The Nation Municipality will continue providing financial support as part of its commitment to working with local organizations and keeping community spaces open and active.
“The St. Bernardin Historical and Cultural Society has demonstrated tremendous passion and commitment throughout this journey,” said The Nation Mayor Francis Brière. “With the support of dedicated volunteers, the group embraced a new challenge and worked tirelessly to help shape a sustainable future for the Caledonia Community Hall.”
Brière said the municipality was confident the organization would continue making the hall a welcoming gathering place for the community.
Julie Leroux, president of the board of directors of the St. Bernardin Historical and Cultural Society, thanked residents of St. Bernardin and the surrounding area for their support during the transition.
She said residents had demonstrated their attachment to the community centre and their desire to keep the facility open.
The organization also thanked the volunteers who spent months preparing for the transition and takeover of the community centre.
“We are already seeing positive results thanks to the support of our community, and we anticipate a bright future for our community centre and our park,” Leroux said.
The St. Bernardin Historical and Cultural Society is now responsible for bookings and rentals at the facility. Reservations can be made through the organization’s website.
The ownership transfer is part of a broader initiative by The Nation Municipality to transition the operation of several community centres to local organizations.
In December 2024, council approved a plan to transition the Fournier, St-Albert and Caledonia community centres to community-based organizations. The initiative was intended to support the long-term sustainability of the facilities while maintaining public access to the spaces.
Throughout early 2025, the municipality worked with the communities involved to establish transition models tailored to each centre. Local committees and existing community organizations were subsequently involved in the process.
Transition agreements came into effect in January 2026, beginning the transfer of operations to the community organizations.
The Nation Municipality said it will continue working with the St. Bernardin Historical and Cultural Society and supporting the community groups involved as they take on greater responsibility for their local facilities.
