LOCATION

9118 Winston Churchill Blvd., Norval, Ont. L0P 1K0
Tel: 905-456-3203

The Croatian Centre at Norval harbours numerous facilities for use by the Croatian community as well as rental capabilities to other communities or parties. These facilities include:

> Large Banquet Hall (accomodating up to 500 people)
> Large Outdoor Swimming Pool
> Several full-size fully-maintained Soccer fields

For further enquiry please contact us at: 905-456-3203 or by email at .
 

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW - FIRST 25 YEARS

The vision to establish the Croatian Social and Cultural Centre commenced in the spring of 1976 when a group of community members met one evening. They discussed the need to establish a central meeting place for the Croatian community under the guidance of the Franciscan Fathers for the benefit of current and future generations that put down their roots in Ontario. In May of 1977, a property consisting of 160 acres, located five kilometers north of Highway 401 on the border between the municipalities of Halton and Peel was purchased by the organizing committee.

The grand opening event to introduce the Croatian community to the Croatian Centre was held in August of the same year. This picnic brought together the Croatian Diaspora from all over Ontario, Quebec, and the northem United States. In the years that followed, many traditions were brought into the lives of those who began attending on a regular basis. The followmg annual events are but some examples:

• Cardinal Alozije Stepinac and Široki Brijeg Martyrs memorial service;

• Good Friday procession, involving the carrying of a large wooden cross around the grounds;

• Saint Anthony Day Feast, which has become a major spiritual and cultural gathering;

• Assumption Day Feast;

• Saint Francis Day parish luncheon, to recognize and show appreciation for dedicated community service effort; and

• Saint Nicholas Day celebration including the children's program.


Many organizations and committees have been formed at the Croatian Centre during the last twenty-five years to enhance the quality of life for members, their friends, and the entire community.
These include:

• Croatian Centre's Committee,

• Pastoral Committee,

• Altar Boys,

• Ushers,

• Adult and Youth Choirs,

• Bible Study Group,

• Croatian Language and Heritage School,

• Croatian Library and Bookstore,

• Croatia Norval Soccer Club,

• Hunting and Angling Club - Sokol,

• King Zvonimir Folklore Ensemble,

• Ladies' Auxiliary,

• Youth Committee, and

• Fundraising committees to assist victims of the war in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Many memorable milestones and events have occurred at the Croatian Centre over the past twenty-five years including the following:

• completion of the large outdoor swimming pool in 1979;

• completion of the assembly hall for New Year's 1981;

• paving of the parking lot and main road in 1983;

• purchase of the nearby house and nine acre property to accommodate the arrival of the Franciscan Sisters in 1987;

• decree from the Roman Catholic Diocese in Hamilton officially recognizing on the establishment of the "Queen of Peace Croatian Franciscan Centre Norval, Ontario as a Catholic Community" in 1988;

• construction of the water main link to the Region of Peel was established in 1989 to alleviate the well water problems;

• completion of the outdoor pavilion providing a covered shelter area in 1989;

• most attended event in the history of the Croatian Centre was the visit of Dr. Franjo Tudjman, President of the Republic of Croatia, in 1990;

• Canadian-Croatian Folklore Festival hosted by King Zvonimir Folklore Ensemble m 1991;

• major renovations to the assembly hall were completed in 1993;

• children's playground was completed in 1994;

• process for the construction of the church began in 1997;

• final payment made on the outstanding debt on the Croatian Centre was in 1999;

• approval for the official plan amendment and zoning bylaw to permit the church construction by the Town of Halton Hills in 2000;

• site plan is approved by the Region of Halton and Town of Halton Hills in 2001, and final payment made on the outstanding debt on the house of Queen of Peace and nine acres of land in 2001.

The Croatian Centre has become an integral part of the local community over the years by:

• inviting individuals to leam about the culture through the establishment of the Croatian Pavilion within Carabram, Brampton's annual multicultural festival, back in 1983;

• sharing the soccer facilities with the Georgetown Soccer Club from 1998, which has allowed hundreds of additional children to play each season; and

• hosting special events for individuals and corporations.

The main source of strength for the Croatian Centre over the years has been the support of the Croatian community from all over Canada, the United States, and Europe. The individuals who attend Mass come from all over the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Over the years, many families have moved to Halton Hills in order to be in close proximity to the Croatian Centre. The number of friendships that been formed during the past twenty-five years are impossible to determine but the positive impact on the community is evident during every event.  The bonds formed between people over the years have allowed the Croatian Centre to thrive and prosper. The children who attended the initial events at the
Croatian Centre are now parents themselves who are bringing their children to the current offering of activities and events.

UPCOMING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS

What began as a small place of worship has now evolved into an ever growing cultural, educational, social, and recreational community centre which now serves over seven hundred and fifty families and many more of other faiths and cultures from the surrounding communities. What will the
next twenty-five years bring? There are plans for the ground breaking ceremony to take place in the spring of 2002 for the construction of a magnificent gothic style church.

The possibilities are limitless for the Croatian Centre in the twenty-first century. The only dependency is the continued support of the members and community. Life may take one to different places on this Earth but one can always retum to the Croatian Centre and find a familiar face from years gone by and begin a conversation as if time had stood still. Let us all look forward to the day when the children who attended the very first picnic back in the summer of 1977 will be sharing those memories with their grandchildren undemeath the shade of the beautiful trees at the Croatian Social and Cultural Centre...