Folks, Most excellent news from Toronto, the G.O.A. has finally secured a state of the art facility/club house.
It is a pity that Goanet is stuck with the technology of yestercentury and pictures are not accepted, else you would be able to see for yourself the quality of the facility. Mervyn ------------------------------------- Dear Members, On behalf of The Goan Overseas Association and The Goan Charitable Organization, we would like to provide you with some exciting news. We have our very own, the first Goan Community Centre !! Congratulations to all of us for this amazing achievement !! "Congratulations and many thanks to all our founder members, past presidents, members, past bondholders and donors, board of trustees, past committees, volunteers, sponsors including platinum sponsor- GTD and my current committee for this significant milestone achieved as a result of 50 years of our volunteer contribution and hard work. All our efforts and hardships over the years has led to what we have achieved today". We are pleased to announce the successful purchase of a 7200 sq ft. facility to be the first Goan Community Centre located at 20 Strathearn Ave. Brampton (Dixie/Steeles). The property was identified on Feb 5th and the due diligence process commenced on Feb 9th. After four months of various activities, the deal successfully closed this week on May 13th. We are now officially in possession of the facility as the new owners. The new Goan Community Centre will help fulfill and serve the community through various charitable, community programs and services that will meet the needs of the community and our members that would include seniors, families and youth. The Goan Community Centre comprises of two units: 1) GCO Centre: The GCO centre will be operated to meet the GCO 's charitable objectives and mandate to help with our seniors Forever Young programming , new immigrants, advancement of education, language classes, counselling services etc. The banquet and kitchen facilities will be available when not in use as a rental facility for small events and private family gatherings. 2) G.O.A. Members Lounge: The members lounge will be accessible to all members and guests for various social activities and events with a full fledged licensed bar. These premises will also be available as a rental facility for other communities and events. The community centre is purchased under the Goan Charitable Organization with a loan from G.O.A. and we will be providing more details in the next coming weeks and months as we make plans and progress to open up based on covid safety protocols. The Goan Charitable Organization will also be launching a fundraising campaign towards the "Donor Wall" to assist with some of the start up and operating funds needed to be successful. More details to follow. This is a significant achievement for the community, and we look forward to your continuous support and assistance. We are confident that today, we are in a much better position to now build a much stronger and unified Goan Canadian community for generations to come through a physical presence along with all other established communities. We now as proud "Goan Canadians" and as a community have a place to call home. As they say, it takes an army to move a mountain. I would like to thank the efforts of all the individuals mentioned below in their assistance in closing out some of the activities related to this transaction. Special acknowledgement & thanks to individuals such as Kevin Pereira (GCO incorporation, bylaws etc.), Ralph De Souza (HST Registration), Ryan De Sa (Legal), Monica Pereira (GCO Finance), Greta Dias (Moral Support) who were always there when needed. My sincere thanks goes to out to all involved and mentioned below . On behalf of Kevin Pereira (Chair and GCO President) and myself , thank you once again to all our founder members, past presidents, past committees, members, past bondholders and donors, board of trustees, volunteers, sponsors and the current committee for their contribution. Let us celebrate !! Viva !! Viva G.O.A. !! Thank You Selwyn Collaco President Goan Overseas Association G.O.A. Toronto G.O.A. Website Copyright © 2021 Goan Overseas Association, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email at your request verbally; subscribing through our website or when filling out your membership form. Our mailing address is: Goan Overseas Association P.O. Box 5667 Station "A" Toronto , On M5W 1N8 Canada Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences "Are You Part of Our Journey" This email was sent to mervynal...@yahoo.ca why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Goan Overseas Association · P.O. Box 5667 Station "A" · Toronto, On M5W 1N8 · Canada
