Located in the heart of the Stratford downtown area, the United Centre provides non-profits with office and meeting space, up-to-date technology and support staff. Other community-based groups use meeting rooms and administrative meeting space and administrative supports to many others.

With the support of the community, the United Centre will become a model for sharing resources, developing partnerships and maximizing potential. The United Centre exists to provide low cost rental space and shared staff, facilities, and equipment to local organizations to enable them to focus their limited resources on serving people in need in our community.

Phase II renovation complete!
Rentals Available. Call 1.877.818.8867

Jerry McDonnell, Shelley Groenestege, Ellen Balmain, Al Hatton

"It's a big day for two counties," said Perth board president Shelley Groenestege
“This will be seen as a stellar move,” said Hatton and added the merger is part of a larger move by the United Way to change how it does business. Hatton said over time the agency had lost some of its “raison d'être” and was now focusing more on its community impact instead of just fundraising.

“Both are important and they have to be in balance,” said Hatton, who described the merger as an important model for the United Way of Canada. “We’ve been tracking this…I have no doubt it will succeed.”

The merger came after months of quiet negotiations after the Huron board approached the Perth United Way in June. A committee made up of board members from both agencies met every other week over the ensuing months to work out details. The process was described as amicable.   
         
"We're keeping separate bank accounts. We're keeping separate databases," said Ellen Balmain, Perth's executive director who will take over the same capacity in the newly merged agency. "We will be really clear on from where the money came and to where it's going."