An annual community production will once again be providing financial support to construction projects at the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre.

This year’s event – entitled What We Didn’t Know – has been penned by acclaimed playwright one former Red Deer resident Andrew Kooman, whose own play She Has A Name was released as a successful film late last year.

What We Didn’t Know, under the direction of Annette Bradley and Laura Geelen, runs April 6th to April 8th at the Memorial Centre.

Curtain is 7 p.m. There is a matinee on April 8th at 2:30 p.m. as well.

A synopsis reads, “What We Didn’t Know gives snapshots from the lives of four inspiring historical figures. The frame around each of these snapshots is another consequential decision made on that first Easter, a decision which not only still inspires and empowers, but makes sense of every act of Christian love, sacrifice, and faith made since.”

Proceeds will support phase two of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre Maternity home, which is for pregnant and parenting teens and young women in Central Alberta, according to the web site.

The goal of the home is to provide a safe and stable environment, life and parenting skills, and healthy relationships. The expected impact is transformation to a life of stability, independence, and improved health in all areas, it notes as well.

The building and development of the home has been divided into two phases.

Phase one, which is completed, includes four bedrooms with private bathrooms, a shared kitchen and common area, a laundry room, and 24 hour in-house support among other features and services. Duration of stay is for the clients’ pregnancy and until the child is six months old.

Looking ahead, phase two will have seven, one-bedroom suites where clients can transition to from phase one.

They will be able to live there until their child is two-years-old. “During this time, residents will have the opportunity to pursue individualized goals, with either an educational focus or an employment focus.”

Residents will be given the opportunity to make real life changes while providing a safe and stable home for their child. The goal is for them to be able to then live independently, having finished their education and secured employment, added Executive Director Anne Waddell, adding the support of Eagle Builders has also been critical to the project. The company has donated $1 million to the overall project, she said.

“We’re looking forward to moving over the summer, so by August 15th we will be moved moved in,” she said. “We will be relocating all of our offices and counselling rooms and everything else within the one building – the new location.”

Waddell said that altogether, it’s a $3.3 million project so the community’s support has been essential as well.

“To date, we have raised or been promised $1.8 million,” she said, adding that amount includes Eagle Builders’ contribution as well. An anonymous donor has also come onboard, plus there is the ongoing capital campaign, too.

Waddell is also grateful for the community’s support through the spring productions.

“It’s great timing – right before Easter, so it becomes a family event,” she said. “It’s a great story and it’s a great opportunity for families to enjoy some local talents. We also have anywhere from between 60 to 100 volunteers around this event.

“We are overwhelmed at how the community just steps up to contribute,” she said. “Not everyone can give money, but everyone can do something and it just impacts us in amazing ways,” she said, adding the organization has also been in Olds now for three years and from there, they are also in Sundre one day a week.

“We also just opened a centre in Rocky Mountain House this past January as well. So our production creates awareness about the work we do, but also our vision is to be able to have a presence and offer our programs and services in every community in Central Alberta,” she explained.

“Central Alberta is just fantastic for their support.”

Meanwhile, last year more than 1,700 people came to the three performances at CrossRoads Church and in 2015 more than 2,400 came to the four performances at the Memorial Centre.

This year’s performance marks the third in what organizers have planned to be a five-year run of staging quality and very inspiring shows to help support a tremendous cause.

Tickets to What We Didn’t Know are free, and donations, as mentioned, will be accepted towards the CAPCC Maternity Home. Check out www.pregnancycare.ca/events.

mark.weber@reddeerexpress.com