The landmark building known for generations as the Basilica Recreation Centre will celebrate its 50th year today as the home for community, cultural and recreational events in the heart of downtown Charlottetown.
The building, currently operated as the Murphy’s Community Centre, was built in 1963 and has a rich and colourful history as a place for people — especially youth — to gather to enjoy sports, social clubs, music and bowling.
Originally constructed and operated by the Diocese of Charlottetown, the building was purchased in 2006 by Ray and Carolyn Murphy of Murphy’s Pharmacies, renovated and upgraded, and is currently run as a not-for-profit organization under the direction of the Murphy family.
“My parents’ vision was to make sure that this facility would continue to be available for future generations,” says Jeff Murphy, executive director of Murphy’s Community Centre. “They wanted future generations to be able to take advantage of the social and educational experiences that this centre has provided for so many Islanders over the years.”
Since 2006, Murphy’s Community Centre has offered and facilitated programs and services that benefit seniors, families, children, new immigrants, persons with disabilities and many more. The centre has also offered individuals and nonprofit groups the opportunity to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various causes through benefit dances and fundraisers.
Thousands of Islanders also benefit from subsidized rates on bowling and other recreational activities.
“For the past 20 years, Special Olympic athletes in P.E.I. have used Murphy’s Community Centre bowling lanes to learn the game, have fun and compete against each other,” says Genna Phelan, SOPEI program director. “We are very grateful to have such a great facility to use.”
Many renovations and updates have been completed at the centre over the past five years to create a modern, fully accessible facility. The centre has more than 50,000 square feet of space utilized for rentable office space, child care, sports and recreation, fitness, banquets, bowling, and youth programs.
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OVERVIEW OF THE CENTRE
“We are very proud that we have had the privilege of being the stewards of this great facility for the past seven years, along with the many long term staff of the centre who truly understand what it means to build community,” says Ray Murphy, president of Murphy’s Pharmacies.
For more information on Murphy’s Community Centre, contact general manager Greg MacDougall at 902-892-1719 ext 0.
The landmark building known for generations as the Basilica Recreation Centre will celebrate its 50th year today as the home for community, cultural and recreational events in the heart of downtown Charlottetown.
The building, currently operated as the Murphy’s Community Centre, was built in 1963 and has a rich and colourful history as a place for people — especially youth — to gather to enjoy sports, social clubs, music and bowling.
Originally constructed and operated by the Diocese of Charlottetown, the building was purchased in 2006 by Ray and Carolyn Murphy of Murphy’s Pharmacies, renovated and upgraded, and is currently run as a not-for-profit organization under the direction of the Murphy family.
“My parents’ vision was to make sure that this facility would continue to be available for future generations,” says Jeff Murphy, executive director of Murphy’s Community Centre. “They wanted future generations to be able to take advantage of the social and educational experiences that this centre has provided for so many Islanders over the years.”
Since 2006, Murphy’s Community Centre has offered and facilitated programs and services that benefit seniors, families, children, new immigrants, persons with disabilities and many more. The centre has also offered individuals and nonprofit groups the opportunity to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various causes through benefit dances and fundraisers.
Thousands of Islanders also benefit from subsidized rates on bowling and other recreational activities.
“For the past 20 years, Special Olympic athletes in P.E.I. have used Murphy’s Community Centre bowling lanes to learn the game, have fun and compete against each other,” says Genna Phelan, SOPEI program director. “We are very grateful to have such a great facility to use.”
Many renovations and updates have been completed at the centre over the past five years to create a modern, fully accessible facility. The centre has more than 50,000 square feet of space utilized for rentable office space, child care, sports and recreation, fitness, banquets, bowling, and youth programs.
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OVERVIEW OF THE CENTRE
“We are very proud that we have had the privilege of being the stewards of this great facility for the past seven years, along with the many long term staff of the centre who truly understand what it means to build community,” says Ray Murphy, president of Murphy’s Pharmacies.
For more information on Murphy’s Community Centre, contact general manager Greg MacDougall at 902-892-1719 ext 0.
Brief history of Murphy Community Centre
Prior to the construction of Basilica Recreation Centre in 1963, the site was the home of the Holy Name Hall and the Basilica Youth Club where Boy Scouts and Girl Guide meetings were held along with variety shows and meetings of the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women’s Leagues.
In 1954, Bishop Malcolm MacEachern was appointed to the Diocese of Charlottetown and began the fundraising efforts for a new parish hall. A total of $750,000 was needed for this massive community project.
Matt Hagen, a retired RCMP officer, took on the huge task of chairing the building committee that included J. Elmer Blanchard, D.A.S. MacDonald, Eugene Cullen, Joseph McKenna, Gerald Maddigan, J.E Ready, William Campbell and Frank Zakem. The committee created a plan for the centre that would meet the needs of the parish, youth and the broader community.
On Sept. 16, 1963, a four-page spread ran in The Guardian newspaper announcing the grand opening of Basilica Recreation Centre. The centre was described as “Charlottetown’s most modern structure for recreation.” The centre contained a total of 58 rooms, including a 14-lane bowling alley, cafeteria, nursery, Boy Scout and Girl Guide rooms, an auditorium with the latest in lighting for dancing, sports, and large conventions, a seniors lounge and a library.
Jack Ready, who later became mayor of Charlottetown, was the first executive director of the centre. The centre was a focal point for thousands of young people, especially from the East End of Charlottetown, and still serves as a focal point for P.E.I. youths and families today.
In 2002, the building was in need of updates and was put up for sale. Ray and
Carolyn Murphy purchased the centre in 2006 as a way of giving back to the community.
A complete history of the Basilica Recreation Centre can be found in the 2008 book written by the late Frank Zakem, entitled The Basilica Recreation Centre — Before and After.
