After the success of Reach a Reader, the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy along with Selkirk College, Kootenay Career Development Society, and Nelson Public Library celebrated the opening of the Learning Centre on Friday.
“I’m so happy to see so many people here,” said Joan Exley, literacy outreach co-ordinator with the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy.
The centre originally was housed in the library but now it has a permanent home in the basement level of city hall.
“Strength is in us coming together,” said Exley.
The centre’s services which include ESL classes, family literacy programs, and literacy drop ins will be offered in partnership between the four groups.
The library will be offering seniors computer courses at the centre which Exley said already has a lot of interest.
Mayor John Dooley was unable to attend the opening but in a message read at the event, said he personally knows the difficulties of a challenged adult reader.
He also said the centre is both valuable to the community and shows the value the community puts on learning.
“I look forward to the day the Learning Centre is engraved in the building directory because it will show it has a permanent home,” read Dooley’s message.