Construction is steadily progressing on the future Oshry | Kipnes Jewish Community Centre, with visible updates beginning to bring the building to life. The project is moving forward, guided every step of the way by priorities shared by Edmonton’s Jewish community, from framing interior spaces to preparing for the installation of a large skylight.

This alignment is no coincidence. It reflects years of consultation, engagement and careful planning.

In spring 2023, Mode Architects Inc. held a series of consultations with a wide range of community groups. Later in the year, a community town hall prompted thoughtful questions and strong participation, reinforcing how deeply invested people are in the future of a Jewish community centre in Edmonton.

Those conversations revealed consistent priorities: a welcoming space, flexible areas for programming, a place that brings people of all ages together, and a building that feels both functional and inviting.

“When we were doing consultations with the community, we focused closely on the input we received,” says Karen Leibovici, chair of the JCC redevelopment committee. “We used that input to bring the design in line with what the community wanted. They wanted a space that was welcoming, where different activities could occur, that would welcome youth as well as seniors, and they wanted a space that was functional.”

That feedback informed every major decision, from selecting the structure itself to shaping what will go inside it.

“We did [this] before we bought the current building,” Leibovici says. “We spoke with different members of the community to figure out what the needs were. Because broader consultation had already occurred, we were able to build on that input. Based on what we heard, we then looked at which building would be most suitable and are now considering what the interior design should be.”

Working closely with architects and project partners, the redevelopment committee has translated these priorities into a detailed plan for the building’s layout, features and programming potential.

An airy, flexible and active environment will greet visitors when the centre opens. As Leibovici explains, the main floor will function as a central hub.

“We’re calling it the Community Living Space,” she says. “When you come in, you’ll see a beautiful area that’s open. There’ll be a winding staircase to the concourse level.”

From there, the building branches into spaces designed for both everyday use and larger gatherings. A multipurpose hall will accommodate events, programs and performances, while smaller rooms will support meetings and community activities.

“It will have dividers as well,” Leibovici says. “If you wanted to have a yoga class, you can have that too. It will be a multipurpose space.”

The centre is also intended to serve the broader community, with flexible spaces designed to be welcoming and available for use by a wide range of groups and partners.

Other areas reflect the strong emphasis placed on youth and families during consultations. The lower level will include dedicated spaces for children and teens, alongside a library and other flexible areas.

“To me, that’s the future of the community, and that’s where the heart of the community is,” Leibovici says.

Additional features, including a rooftop amenity space and areas for partner organizations, reinforce the goal of creating a space that supports a wide range of needs.

Construction began late last year and is expected to be completed by early 2027.

Work completed to date includes structural preparation and interior framing. In this fall, crews expect to begin work on a large skylight that will allow light to flow through the entire building.

These milestones mark an important shift from planning and design toward a physical space people will soon be able to walk through and experience.

For Leibovici, the project is about more than a building. It is about restoring something the community has been missing.

“When I first moved out to Edmonton in 1980, the Jewish Community Centre was where we went and where we met people. There were all kinds of activities,” she says. “Once the (Rio Terrace) centre was sold, there was nothing left. The community has suffered.”

Now, after years of consultation, planning and construction, that vision is close to becoming a reality.

“I want to see it functioning,” she says. “I want to see it alive.”

When it opens, the new Oshry | Kipnes Jewish Community Centre will reflect the ideas, priorities and hopes shared by the community, a space built not only for the community, but with it.