Delmore “Buddy” Daye Institute reaching for new heights

The Halifax and west community council has approved a land-use bylaw amendment to allow the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute to add two storeys.

With the two extra storeys, the building, at 5450 Cornwallis St. has the option to grow to be four storeys tall.

The motion passed without debate in a meeting on Tuesday.

“I would have concerns if this were a residential area … but it isn’t, and this is for a non-profit that helps the community,” said Coun. Lindell Smith.

When asked when the renovations would take place, Sylvia Parris-Drummond, CEO of the institute, said, “there’s no defined date because it’s connected to getting the funds we need to advance.” She said it could take years rather than weeks or months.

The extra space would go towards seminar areas, workspaces and cultural events.

The Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute is an Afrocentric research and learning centre that has been at the Cornwallis Street location since June 2018. The building itself is close to 50 years old.