Ponoka’s Civic Building serves as a community hub

Ponoka celebrated the official grand opening of the Ponoka Civic Centre in May, 2019, receiving its official name through a contest.

In the fall, the winning name was chosen and it was announced that the judges panel had also decided that the Cree word “mamawayawin,” meaning “meeting place” or “gathering place” would appear above or below the name in smaller letters once the signage is mounted into the building.

The building stands on the site of the old general hospital, at the end of 50 St., and strives to honour the memory of the hospital that served the health care needs of so many Ponoka residents over the years, by continuing on as a hub for the community.

The new building sits on a five-acre site and the town plans to further develop the area into a park space in the south west corner. A new medical facility is also anticipated to be developed on the land next to the civic centre.

Town Hall

The town occupies 28,000 square feet of lease space in the civic building, or about 90 per cent. Ponoka’s town hall is located in the upper floors of the building.

Ponoka Jubilee Library

With the completion of the new civic building in 2018, the Ponoka Jubilee Library (PJL) found a new, 7,000 square foot home on the main floor of the building.

The new library space features an open floor plan, an accessible layout, and lots of natural light. The library also upgraded its equipment to match its new surroundings.

Library patronage and programming has only increased in the new space, with 381 programs and 5,573 participants in and over 71,000 recorded visits in 2019.

The PJL also boasts a teen section and an expanded children’s section. The teen section had a recorded 36,277 visits last year.

For a full list of programs and information, visit www.ponokalibrary.prl.ab.ca or call 403-783-3843.

Ponoka Learning Centre

Ponoka is proud to be home to a 5,000 square foot learning centre with post-secondary education, located on the main floor of the Ponoka Civic Centre.

The learning centre shares a space with the Ponoka Jubilee Library and is one of four Campus Alberta Central (CAC) locations.

The Ponoka Learning Centre provides programs that can be completed online as well, such as the eight-month Pre-Health Sciences Certificate, which is applicable to the Licensed Practical Nurse program.

For more information email ponokacac@adultlearningsociety.com or message them through their Facebook page @PonokaRimbeyalc.