GNAG – the early years
In 1996, 1,200 people from the Glebe and Old Ottawa South marched along Bank Street to Lansdowne to save their community centres. The city eventually dropped its proposal to close the Glebe Community Centre and the Firehall.
Source: Glebe Report, June 1996
GNAG – the early years
By Jennie Aliman
Happy 50th anniversary, Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group!
You are our treasure, our “community’s living-room,” and we love you.
GNAG is unique in many ways.
First, there is the building that houses its programs and activities, the former St. James United Church, purchased by the City of Ottawa in 1973. There were many renovations over the years, especially the big one in 2003, but there remain limitations to providing services out of spaces that are not typical of most purpose-built community centres. No gym! No pool! No outdoor space! GNAG has managed to work creatively within the building and has grown to include satellite locations at Corpus Christi School, First Avenue Public School, Mutchmor Public School, St. James Tennis Club, St. Matthew’s Church and Glebe St. James Church.
Quirky as it is, the community loves this old building! And they showed it in 1996 when1,200 people from the Glebe and Old Ottawa South marched together along Bank Street to Lansdowne Park to save their community centres. They loudly protested the city’s proposal to close the Firehall and the Glebe Community Centre and build a new combined facility at Brewer Park. GNAG and the community rallied, and the city withdrew its proposal. In 2003, construction began on a major $1.6-million renovation.
Built as a church, the building’s Main Hall has a cruciform floor plan, a soaring dome overhead and superb acoustics. For more than 20 years, this space has been transformed once (or twice!) a year into GNAG Theatre, launching productions ranging from Shakespeare to Broadway, all masterfully directed by Eleanor Crowder. Even renovations didn’t stop GNAG’s commitment to community theatre. During that year, GNAG moved into the basement of Fourth Avenue Baptist Church, ran a few core programs and produced three shows on the basement stage!
Former executive director Mary Tsai says the true spirit of GNAG is creativity, connection and community. This is GNAG Theatre! All are welcome to participate, on stage or working behind the scenes in props, costumes, sets, lighting, production, stage crew or advertising and promotion. At showtime, the community comes out and celebrates the magic of live theatre. In April, enjoy this year’s show, Mary Poppins! Asked about celebrities appearing in past productions, Eleanor Crowder said, “For my money, everyone is a celebrity in this context.” She mentions working with family groups – parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, three generations, families of four, some several times over. When pushed, she remembers performances by Alan Neal, Joel Westheimer, David Chernushenko, Mary Tsai, and Mary Tsai on Paul O’Donnell’s shoulders.
GNAG was incorporated in April 1975. In September 1975, Ilse Kyssa opened the unique The Pantry Vegetarian Tea-Room in the GCC. GNAG began advertising that “healthy snacks” were included in the after-school program. The children would line up at the kitchen door, and Ilse would serve them a cup of hot vegetable soup or a bagel with cream cheese or everyone’s favourite, her home-made honey-butter! Ilse was way ahead of her time, rode her bicycle to work, wore Birkenstocks, shopped at Herb & Spice and took compost home from the restaurant because there was no city recycling program. Her tea-room was cozy, with the church’s original woodwork and old-world furnishings that made folks feel like they were in a European café. GNAG celebrated Ilse with a retirement strawberry social in June 1995. The traditions of the cozy vegetarian café carried on with Carolyn Best for many years.
Jane Wilson, who cheerfully worked at the front desk from 1984 until recently, remembers that from the mid to late 80s, The Pantry was host to George the cat. “George came every morning to The Pantry, entering off Second Avenue and residing at the head of a large oak table that would seat eight comfortably. He was a lovely cat, never cranky, just content with a gentle pat on the head.”
Over the years, GNAG has provided a safe and welcoming place to play, learn and grow. Mary Lovelace, a forever volunteer and GNAG’s long-time director of administration, remembers “the chaotic hum of a busy place that was making a difference to the community.”
Friends who live in Alta Vista say they always feel welcome at GNAG events. Former GNAG vice-chair Sheri Segal Glick convinced her husband to move from Centretown to the Glebe because “my oldest was attending Glebe Cooperative Nursery School, and I just fell in love with GNAG.”
These both speak to the specialness of the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group. So, congratulations GNAG on 50 years of success, and thank you for listening, believing, inspiring and empowering us.
If you wish to learn more about the Glebe Community Centre, there is a comprehensive history of the building written by former GNAG chair Karen Reynolds available on the GNAG website under “history”.
50 Memorable Moments
GNAG invites you to share a favourite GNAG memory on its social feeds. Send your memories to clare@gnag.ca with the subject line “Memorable Moments” and then check out what others remember!
Watch for upcoming information about GNAG’s Family Celebration, Saturday afternoon May 31 and the 50th Anniversary Dance, Saturday evening May 31, featuring Kelly Lee Evans!
Jennie Aliman has been growing with GNAG since 1987.