FCA History
The Fairfield Community Association was established September 17, 1975 by volunteer residents to enhance the quality of life in Fairfield. The population Fairfield currently stands at over 17,000. There are over 1200 elementary students in the neighbourhood. A middle school straddles the border between Fairfield/Rockland and Fernwood.
The Fairfield Community Association represents the Fairfield neighbourhood as defined in it's constitution as bounded by Blanchard Street to the West, Fort Street to the North, Foul Bay to the East and the waterfront, or Dallas Road, to the South. Within these boundaries are the neighborhoods of Rockland to the north, with its own formalized Community Association, and Gonzales to the east. Fairfield Community Place is the only neighbourhood Centre within these boundaries.
In 1984 the Association opened Fairfield Community Place. The "Place" is a community centre and neighborhood house which operates recreation and leisure programs for all age groups, Out of School Care programs in three locations, special neighbourhood events such as Swiftsure Pancake Breakfast in May, a Halloween Celebration and Bon-Fire, and a Holiday Craft Fair.
The Place is the centre of operations for the Fairfield Community Association that is active in neighborhood planning, environmental concerns and community development. The Association also supports the production of a bi-monthly magazine, the Moss Rock Review, which is mailed to Fairfield Community Association members, and is available throughout the neighbourhood for all residents.
In January of 1997, the Community Place moved from its original location in a small brick annex on the property of Sir James Douglas School into a 5500 sq. ft. 1920's building on Fairfield Road adjacent to the new Sir James Douglas School. This space houses our administration offices, Out of School Care, and Parent & Tot. These spaces are also available to rent when not in use.
In addition to renovating the Fairfield Road building, the Community Association built a 1500 sq .ft. multi-purpose room and a 900 sq. ft. commercial kitchen attached to the new school. The multi-purpose room, named the Garry Oak Room, is used extensively for recreation programs, meetings, and special events and is available for rent to community groups. The commercial kitchen has been designed as a teaching centre for cooking classes and as a special event kitchen.Additionally, the entire space is designated as a reception centre for the City of Victoria Emergency Preparedness Program.
In 2002, we acquired "the Portable" directly behind the Community Place. It has recently been upgraded with a wheel chair accessible ramp and washroom. It is a multi use space used by our OSC program and is available to rent. It is a useful addition to the Community Association's spaces.