Spitfire75
Apr 14, 2009, 9:36 PM
'Unique' mosque planned for Halifax (http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1116607.html)
$6-million project next to Maritime Muslim Academy to be completed in about a year
By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Tue. Apr 14 - 5:45 AM
An artist’s rendition of the new Muslim community centre and mosque planned for St. Mathias Street in Halifax.
Workers John Hennigar and Paul Wooley put a piece of corrugated steel on the dome portion of a new community centre and mosque. The dome, which will be covered with concrete, is expected to be raised into place on Thursday. (Peter Parsons / Staff)
http://thechronicleherald.ca/images/spacer.gif
The Chebucto Road area in Halifax is getting a new landmark.
Construction is underway for a new community centre and mosque next to the Maritime Muslim Academy.
"It’s unique in its architecture," said Hadi Salah, the academy’s principal and chairman of the centre’s building committee.
The new centre’s brick facade will blend in with neighbouring buildings, which include the academy and the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts.
However, the structure will also feature windows and domed roofs that will make it instantly identifiable as a mosque.
The $6-million project should be done in 12 to 14 months, Mr. Salah said.
So far, $2 million has been raised and the community is hoping to get government help.
Mr. Salah said he hopes the complex will get some government support because part of the building will be for community use and it is also being designed with the environment in mind.
Local architect Dan Goodspeed designed the project, which will have a geothermal heating system and a grey-water recovery system.
Previously, the Muslim community had used a small bungalow on the property as a prayer hall, but that was torn down to make way for the new mosque.
Until the project is finished, the group is renting space from the conservatory for use as a prayer hall.
The centre’s upper floor will be used as a new prayer hall that will accommodate 800 worshippers.
The family-oriented centre will have a library and a computer lab and will offer youth activities and programming, Mr. Salah said.
The basement level will have a multi-purpose room and a gymnasium. The gym can be used for large-scale events and will have a stage for school performances.
When it is completed, the complex will be open daily from 8 a.m. until midnight.
( djeffrey@herald.ca)http://thechronicleherald.ca/photos/xlarge/Muslim_Centre_Provincial_04-14-09_TQB7A6A.jpg
http://thechronicleherald.ca/photos/xlarge/pp041309dome_RGB_04-14-09.jpg
$6-million project next to Maritime Muslim Academy to be completed in about a year
By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Tue. Apr 14 - 5:45 AM
An artist’s rendition of the new Muslim community centre and mosque planned for St. Mathias Street in Halifax.
Workers John Hennigar and Paul Wooley put a piece of corrugated steel on the dome portion of a new community centre and mosque. The dome, which will be covered with concrete, is expected to be raised into place on Thursday. (Peter Parsons / Staff)
http://thechronicleherald.ca/images/spacer.gif
The Chebucto Road area in Halifax is getting a new landmark.
Construction is underway for a new community centre and mosque next to the Maritime Muslim Academy.
"It’s unique in its architecture," said Hadi Salah, the academy’s principal and chairman of the centre’s building committee.
The new centre’s brick facade will blend in with neighbouring buildings, which include the academy and the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts.
However, the structure will also feature windows and domed roofs that will make it instantly identifiable as a mosque.
The $6-million project should be done in 12 to 14 months, Mr. Salah said.
So far, $2 million has been raised and the community is hoping to get government help.
Mr. Salah said he hopes the complex will get some government support because part of the building will be for community use and it is also being designed with the environment in mind.
Local architect Dan Goodspeed designed the project, which will have a geothermal heating system and a grey-water recovery system.
Previously, the Muslim community had used a small bungalow on the property as a prayer hall, but that was torn down to make way for the new mosque.
Until the project is finished, the group is renting space from the conservatory for use as a prayer hall.
The centre’s upper floor will be used as a new prayer hall that will accommodate 800 worshippers.
The family-oriented centre will have a library and a computer lab and will offer youth activities and programming, Mr. Salah said.
The basement level will have a multi-purpose room and a gymnasium. The gym can be used for large-scale events and will have a stage for school performances.
When it is completed, the complex will be open daily from 8 a.m. until midnight.
( djeffrey@herald.ca)http://thechronicleherald.ca/photos/xlarge/Muslim_Centre_Provincial_04-14-09_TQB7A6A.jpg
http://thechronicleherald.ca/photos/xlarge/pp041309dome_RGB_04-14-09.jpg