Message from the Board of Directors – Update on Renovations at the Centre
Updated: 2023-11-24
Greetings!
The Board of Directors of the Siddha Yoga Meditation Centre in Montreal would like to give you an update concerning the renovations about to take place at the Centre.
We believe it will be helpful to offer a review of the actions and reflections that have been taken so far, in order to put our current situation in context and explain the modifications that have been planned.
The process began early in 2020 when the Board announced during a Community Meeting of the Montreal Sangham that the Global Finance Department of SYDA Foundation is now asking for Centres to present a balanced annual budget, notwithstanding any accumulated monetary reserves.
April 30, 2022 – Community Meeting
At this meeting the Board announced that our present lease would be ending the following year (March 31st, 2023), and that any new lease would include a significant increase in the amount we pay for rent. We also learned that our municipal taxes had already doubled since 2016.
The board offered several scenarios to deal with the increased costs we are facing. These options included:
Appeals for donations;
Reduction of the current space occupied by the Centre;
Moving to another location;
Other (temporary locations, decentralisation, etc.)
February 25, 2023 – Special Community Meeting for the end of our lease
Jean Bouthillette presented three scenarios based on informal discussions with the manager of the building, concerning the renewal of our lease and the financial impacts of the different options. These three scenarios were accompanied by sketches illustrating the areas that would be included or relinquished. The three scenarios are:
Status quo: it was determined that this option not only maintained our present deficit but would substantially add to it owing to the increase in rent and government taxes.
Reduction of our physical space by approximately 30 %: savings of around $ 30 000 annually in comparison with the present status quo.
Reduction of the space by 40 %: savings of around $36 000 annually in comparison with the present status quo.
Scenario #1 (status quo) was immediately set aside. We then submitted an online survey to our members, which included scenarios #2 and #3.
April 22, 2023 – Community Meeting
The former lease had expired, and the Board of Directors were happy to announce that the lease had been extended for one year with the present physical space and an increase of only 3,5%. This increase was very reasonable, and offered a demonstration of cooperation on the part of the building owners, who were willing to give us the time to think about our plans for rearranging the space.
Resultat of the survey (67 people)
Scenario 2 – 47 %
Scenario 3 – 53 %
Many of the 67 people who responded to the survey indicated that they would have been fine with either of the two scenarios, although they were obliged to choose only one option.
The plan was to undertake the renovations in the course of 2024, on the basis of scenarios 2 ou 3. Discussion with seva department heads would take place in the following months about possible divisions of the space and different setups.
Update 2023-11-24
Since the Spring of 2023 the Steering Committee has met with seva department heads to discuss their needs and possibilities. The board of Directors and the Steering Committe recently decided on a reduction of space based on scenario 3, however with slightly larger square footage. It is thus an "improved" Option 3 which has been chosen.
Our present ways of doing things will clearly have to be rethought, especially concerning big events. We will no longer have a large dining area at our disposal, and the kitchen will be greatly reduced in size and capacity.
Next steps:
An architectural plan has been drawn up; a request for a construction permit will be submitted to the City of Montreal in November, with the accord of the building owner.
Formal negotiations with the building manager and owner will begin soon to discuss the conditions and arrangements of the future lease.
Sales and auctions will be organised throughout the Winter to dispose of the excess matériel in the Centre, including furnishings, sacred objects, kitchen equipment, etc. This operation will be coordinated by France Jolicoeur.
Renovation work is scheduled for 2024, probably in February and March. The plan is for the Centre to remain open during the period of renovations.
The Steering Committee and Board of Directors remain open to your ideas and suggestions concerning the renovations.
The Board would like to thank all the sevites involved in this project. A special thanks is offered to all members of our community for your participation in meetings and consultations, and for your flexibility in this process of adaptation.
The Board of Directors
Michel Lestage
Jean Bouthillette
Amélie Marcotte-Losier