A centre for countless events of all sorts will enter what it has called a "strategic transition".
The Fogolar Furlan Club, a venue that celebrates Italian and Friulian culture and has been the scene of meetings, fundraisers, weddings, political rallies, and other functions since the mid-1960s, has announced that it will put its property on North Service Road up for sale.
The club's board and membership are using this period to bring the club back to its roots as a cultural centre that will rely heavily on member engagement.
Club President Larry Masotti said the sale of the property is the first step in a transition that will change the club's service model.
"By selling the property, we can reinvest in our members, expand our cultural programming, and position the Club for a strong and stable future as a true cultural and social organization," said Masotti in a media release.
Over the next two years, Fogolar Furlan will slowly shift its focus from being merely a banquet business toward additional cultural, youth, and educational programming.
"This includes heritage dinners, language and cooking classes, music and dance events, holiday celebrations, youth initiatives, student exchanges with the Friuli region, and expanded community and philanthropic partnerships," read the media release.
Masotti added that members and visitors will not notice any drop in service during the transition, and all booked events will be handled as planned.
"Our members and our community are central to every decision we make. We are committed to delivering excellent service to our existing clients, while we take the necessary steps to refocus the Club on its cultural mission and long-term success," said Masotti.
The club began in 1961 as a social gathering place for Friulian and Italian immigrants who settled in Windsor after the Second World War, according to the official website. It hosted its first banquet the following year, with the first permanent main hall completed in 1966.
The complex expanded throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with the current main halls opening in 1981. A massive restoration and expansion in the early 2000s brought the club to its current appearance.
