The board of the Chestnut Hill Community Centre (CHCC) has launched new fundraising initiatives for its final phase of renovations to the building at 8419 Germantown Ave.

Known as the Woodward Community Centre, the historic building has been undergoing construction for several years under the management of The Sivel Group (TSG), a local real estate organization. With the foundation now complete, the next steps involve finishing the interior, including making the building compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and installing an elevator.

CHCC and TSG have started a GoFundMe and plan fundraising events in hopes of raising $2.5 million for the project. The proposed use of the building includes offices for nonprofits, a large meeting room for the community, and additional rental commercial space to keep the building financially sustainable. There also will be a courtyard by the main entrance.

The Woodward Community Centre has been in use for over 100 years. Gertrude Houston Woodward donated the building for community use in the early 1900s. Since then, it has served as a post for World War I relief efforts, 1919 influenza pandemic care, and a community meeting space. Currently there are several office spaces on the top floor and two retail stores on the ground floor — Villavillekula and Windfall Gallery.

The project to renovate the building was announced in 2016, but the COVID-19 pandemic put those plans on hold. Following the worst of the pandemic, the CHCC board put renewed effort on finalizing the project and began construction on an addition behind the building.

The current restoration of the building is being done under the direction of John Milner Architects and Delran Builders. The project includes adding more accessibility accommodations, new restrooms, and new energy measures.

CHCC and TSG aim to maintain the original mission of the building, as dictated by Woodward herself.

Woodward “had the original vision to donate it to the community and to put it to community use,” explained Jennifer Rinella, managing partner at TSG. “We don’t want to change that vision. We actually want to build upon that vision and continue it. …[We’ll] continue the building’s mission in the next 100 years, because if it’s not maintained and if it’s not redone … the community could potentially lose it in the future. And we don’t want that to happen.”

The GoFundMe for the Chestnut Hill Community Centre is only one step toward the building’s completion. CHCC and TSG also plan to have a table set up at the Home & Garden Festival in Chestnut Hill on May 3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in hopes of gathering donations. Furthermore, there will be a fundraising event at Matines Café on June 10 from 5-7 p.m.

Representatives from CHCC and TSG are hopeful that support during these events will ensure the building is a gathering place for generations to come.

Search “Supporting Chestnut Hill’s Community Center” on gofundme.com to donate.

Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.