The wait is finally over!
After years of dreaming, questioning, planning, calculating, and yes, fundraising, Sun Youth celebrated this afternoon the official groundbreaking of its future home, which will bear the names of Mirella and Lino Saputo.
In the presence of our Member of Parliament for Outremont, Ms. Rachel Bendayan, our campaign co-chairs Ms. Lucy Riddell and Mr. Claude Mongeau, the President of our Board of Directors, Renzo Fraraccio, and outgoing President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, Dimitri Manolopoulos, reminded us of the raison d’être of this transformative project, for Sun Youth, its clientele and the community.
We’ve come a long way since August 2022, when the Honorable Rachel Bendayan announced Federal funding of over $10 million through Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. Ms. Bendayan was happy to share this moment with us.
“The first thing I organized as a student in high school, was a food drive for Sun Youth. I remember meeting Sid Stevens in his office and being so proud to show him the boxes of food I had collected. Sid inspired me as he has inspired all of you. Sid, Earl and Johanne have dedicated their lives to Sun Youth because helping Montrealers is what matters most to them.”
– Rachel Bendayan
Our co-presidents thanked all the generous volunteers and donors of the campaign. Ms. Riddell said: “While it’s true that Claude and I chaired the major development campaign, the $15.9M raised to date – beyond our expectations and encouraging us to do even more – would not have been possible without the work of a group of generous volunteers.”
“Why is this building so important to us? It will serve not only Sun Youth, but other organizations as well, creating an incredible community synergy. Our ambition is to make it a hub that will serve as a lever. If Sun Youth is already working hand in hand with several community organizations and groups, this will be multiplied tenfold.”
– Claude Mongeau & Lucy Riddell
We were delighted to be able to share our pride with the various consultants, contractors, sub-contractors, and architects that are part of this wonderful adventure: Kanva Architecture, JCB Construction, Legico Consultants, Leroux-Cyr, Demospec, and BPA.
Some of our young athletes were also on hand to represent the bright future that awaits us in our new home in 2026.
Finally, we wish to thank our future neighbours, the social integration enterprise les Petites Mains, for the delicious meal they’ve offered so graciously to welcome us to the neighbourhood.
