Parkland Valley District Spotlight

Celebrating Community Successes

By: Darla Batke

Date: November, 2025

Issue: 5

Melville Community Works: A Community Space

Photo: Exterior of the Melville Community Works building

(The former school that now serves as a thriving community hub)

Every Spotlight, Parkland Valley SCR District highlights a community story that reflects the community successes across our district. This month, we’re shining a light on Melville Community Works, a vibrant hub where creativity, connection, and community pride come together under one welcoming roof.

Melville Community Works is much more than a building, it’s a multi-purpose, user-friendly, not-for-profit centre that brings people of all ages, cultures, and talents together. Known locally as a true hub of the community, the Centre provides a home to organizations that might otherwise have nowhere to go. Its warmth and inclusiveness are felt the moment you walk through the doors, where the focus is always on creating a place where everyone belongs.

Photo: Entrance to the Memorial Garden

( A peaceful and beautifully maintained space on the grounds of the Centre)

Photo: The Backyard at Melville Community Works

(A serene outdoor area used for gatherings, photos, and quiet reflection)

The story of Melville Community Works began in the halls of what was once Parkview School, built in 1957. The school transitioned to a junior high in 1971 before eventually closing in 2001. But instead of leaving the building empty, community members imagined something brighter.

In March 2001, the Melville Arts Council brought forward a proposal asking the City of Melville to purchase the school and partner with them to transform it into a community centre. The city approved the proposal that June, and the Arts Council stepped in to manage the facility. What followed was a tremendous volunteer-driven effort, months of renovating, reimagining, and preparing the space for a new purpose rooted in community connection.

Turning an empty school into a vibrant multi-use centre didn’t happen overnight. It took grants, local donations, and most importantly a dedicated team of volunteers who poured their passion into the project. Their hard work brought the building back to life, helping it become the dynamic, welcoming place it is today.

This transformation offers wonderful inspiration for other rural communities with underused buildings. With vision, persistence, and community buy-in, spaces once considered past their prime can become anchors for culture, recreation, and social connection.

Today, the Centre is home to 13 full-time organizations, with many additional groups using the space throughout the year. The building stays active with meetings, programs, events, and creative initiatives that draw people from across the community. The strong mix of tenants helps anchor Melville Community Works as a place that truly serves the whole community, encouraging creativity, supporting active living, and offering gathering spaces year-round.

Photo: Special Events Room inside the Centre

(One of the welcoming spaces frequently used for community gatherings and celebrations)

The success of Melville Community Works is rooted in the commitment of the Melville Arts Council, whose volunteers help steer the Centre’s operations, spark new ideas, and support ongoing improvements. They’re supported by an abundance of volunteers who pitch in with everything from yard work, hanging artwork, and decorating, to helping in the gift shop.

The centre also relies on its two staff members:

the manager/administrator, who handles all bookings, financial organization, grant applications, fundraisers, and front-desk hospitality; and
a facility staff member who keeps the building spotless, the sidewalks clear, and the grounds well-maintained.

Together, these contributions ensure the Centre remains welcoming, functional, and thriving.

Melville Community Works stays true to its vision of fostering the arts in an all-inclusive environment. From newborns to community members in their nineties, people of all ages find meaningful opportunities and experiences here.

The Centre also hosts two major annual fundraisers a June golf tournament and a November dinner theatre both of which draw strong community support. Through its association with OSAC (Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils), the Centre showcases rotating artwork throughout the year, often featuring pieces from diverse cultures.

Photo: Dinner Theatre Fundraiser

(A look at one of the Centre’s most popular annual fundraising events)

The Centre is always evolving. One tenant recently relocated, leaving a wing of the building open and the Melville Community Thrift Store quickly stepped forward to expand into the space. This new area will give them even more room for the generous donations they receive and continue supporting the community.

One thing visitors always notice is the constantly refreshed decor. Volunteers take pride in making the Centre inviting, creative, and reflective of the seasons. It’s small touches like these that give Melville Community Works its charm and sense of belonging.

Melville Community Works is a strong example of how community leadership can transform local spaces into places to gather, create, and connect. It continues to reflect the values we promote across the Parkland Valley District, inclusivity, adaptability, and pride in community.

If you’d like to learn more about Melville Community Works or support the Centre’s initiatives, you can reach out directly to their team.

Special thanks to DeeDee Kurtz for sharing her insight and photos for this Spotlight.

Parkland Valley Spotlight highlights success stories in sport, culture, and recreation from across our region. Have a story to share? Let us know!

Parkland Valley Sport Culture and Recreation District is a non profit voluntary organization working with communities building capacity and creating a strong network of support through sport, culture, and recreation.

Recipients are encouraged to forward the Parkland Valley Insider! to other members of their organizations.

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