Valens Community Centre
The Valens Community Centre officially opened on Oct. 29, 1983. Built in the 1950s as a school, it operated in that capacity until 1976. In 1982 the Township of Flamborough purchased the building and the Valens and area community came together to help finance and renovate the school into a not-for-profit community centre. Today it is owned by the City of Hamilton and is run by a volunteer subcommittee board that meets regularly to plan and hold events for the benefit and enjoyment of the community, to discuss and oversee required maintenance and repairs of the building and property, and to set policies and oversee the rental of the hall. Subcommittee meetings are held at the centre and are open to the public.
Upcoming Events & Community News
Elections could affect hall rental
Renters of the hall: Please be advised that the calling of a provincial or federal election could mean that the Valens Community Centre will be used as a polling station for both advanced and election day voting, bumping any pre-existing rentals. We think it is important that you are aware of this when renting our facility.
Thank you for your understanding.
General meeting
The subcommittee’s next meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Valens Community Centre, 1818 Valens Rd. All are welcome to attend.
Respect for Our Valued Volunteers
We would like to remind everyone that our dedicated team of volunteers plays a crucial role in maintaining and running the Valens Community Centre and its community events. These individuals generously contribute their time, skills and passion and are not compensated for their efforts.
Some key points to remember:
- Our volunteers need time off just like everyone else, to recharge and spend quality time with loved ones. Many of them also work full time. Therefore, they are not available 24/7 (this includes not being available on holidays and their vacations). So, please feel free to reach out, and they will respond as quickly as they are able. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.
- Appreciation: Let us express our gratitude and appreciation for our volunteers’ selfless work. Their contributions are invaluable.
- Respect: We kindly request that everyone treat our volunteers with the utmost respect. Their dedication deserves acknowledgment and courtesy.
Thank you!
Yoga classes cancelled
Historic photos
Do you have a historic photo of the Valens Public School, whether in classrooms, of the exterior or of school events? Or do you have photos of the Valens Community Centre in its early days, or of an event held there? Or perhaps you have an interesting photo of something in the Valens area? If so, we would love to scan these photos and put them on our website, and maybe frame a copy for our history wall. We are also accepting donations of old photographs if they relate to Valens. Please let us know via email at vccbookings@valenscommunitycentre.ca arch Annual ldsddfdfsat 7 p.m.
About The Venue
The Valens Community Centre, which has a hall that can hold 144 people (seated) or 128 if serving alcohol, is the perfect venue for your wedding, anniversary, stag and doe, birthday party, shower, family celebration, meeting, workshop or other social gathering. Please note the kitchen is for warming and preparing food only, no cooking.
Rental rates and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are below.
Once you determine that this hall suits your needs, check availability by browsing the Booking Calendar and pick an available date. Then download the Rental Application to your computer or device, fill it out, save it and attach it to an email to our booking agent. If you still have questions after reading the FAQs, you can contact the booking agent at vccbookings@valenscommunitycentre.
The Valens Community Centre’s fully equipped kitchen has:
- Lots of counter space
- A dishwasher
- Microwave
- Two refrigerators with freezers – standard size
- A double sink and a single sink
- Two stoves with ovens
- Separate bar area with pass through
- Coffee urns, teapots, water pitchers
- Cutlery and dinnerware (plates, bowls, etc.) for 130
- Note: We do not provide tablecloths or other coverings.
The centre is also equipped with:
- Tables & chairs
- Dishes
- Air Conditioning
- Wood flooring (ideal for dancing!)
- Large windows for natural lighting
See our Photo Gallery.
Should you choose to venture outside, there is a picnic shelter, children’s playground, and rustic baseball diamond. In addition, there is ample free parking. Click here for a map of the location.
Facility Rental
Please note all booking requests submitted through this website are not finalized until the booking agent contacts the renter confirming the booking has been approved and a $75 deposit paid. Please do not get your insurance until after you hear from the booking agent.
Renting the hall starts at $150. This fee does not include the cost of liability insurance which is mandated by the City of Hamilton. As well, a damage/extra cleaning cash deposit of $150 may also be required, depending on the type of event being held. This fee is refunded if the community centre is left in the condition it was found in.
The liability insurance cost varies depending on the type of event. Insurance can be obtained from the providers below or a third party of your choice. The City of Hamilton must be listed as the additional insured and a copy of the insurance certificate must be provided to the booking agent prior to the event date.
1. Get a quote from Duuo by clicking on this link:
Event Liability Insurance For Hosts | Event Liability Policy | Duuo
Just a few simple clicks and they do all the work!
If you decide to go with Duuo they will automatically send the booking agent at Valens Community Centre a copy of your insurance certificate, saving you the extra hassle.
2. The City of Hamilton. (The booking agent can provide further details).
3. Or purchase your own insurance naming the City of Hamilton as an additional insured.
Next Steps
1. The booking agent, who is a volunteer, usually responds by email within 72 hours confirming your booking. You will be emailed a Rental Agreement (this is different than the Rental Application) that includes deposit information which will need to be signed and returned. When filling out the start and end time in the Agreement, be sure to include the amount of time it will take to set up and take down. These times can be approximate, however, it’s important that volunteer staff are aware when renters will be at the facility. Also, renters cannot access the hall until 10 a.m. the DAY of their event as our custodian has allotted from 8 to 10 a.m. for cleaning. This two-hour time slot usually can’t be altered because of other commitments. However, you can check with the booking agent to see IF early access is possible, and if it is, get her approval. It is the renter’s responsibility to get this approval prior to the event (not the day of).
2. If you are obtaining your own insurance for the event, proof of insurance will need to be emailed to the booking agent at vccbookings@valenscommunitycentre.ca. If you are obtaining insurance from Duuo, an insurance certificate is automatically sent to the agent. If purchasing insurance from the City of Hamilton, the booking agent will submit the application on the renter’s behalf. Once the agent receives the insurance document from the city, it will then be forwarded to the renter.
3. Text the booking agent at 905-928-7571 one to two days prior to the rental day to obtain access to the key. Please ensure all required documents have been provided.
All other steps can be found in the Rental Agreement when you receive it from the booking agent. Note most questions can be answered by reading the complete list of FAQs below.
FAQs
Please note all potential renters must read the complete list of FAQs so our booking agent, who is a volunteer, isn’t inundated with questions that are already answered on this website.
The hall is available 365 days a year. Please see the Booking Calendar which indicates what days the hall is already booked and what days are available. Please be sure to refer to this prior to completing the application.
Renters are able to access the hall at 10 a.m. and are to vacate the premises by 1 a.m. the next day. Should you require access prior to 10 a.m., please make arrangements with the booking agent at the time of rental confirmation.
It is important to include the start and end time of your event on the Rental Application.
Note: A noise restriction comes into effect at 11 p.m., so no noise that could disturb others in the area is permitted. This includes music and yelling.
This is not common practice for this facility but could happen depending on the rental. Both renters would be advised ahead of time. The facility will be cleaned between events.
A rental date can be held temporarily while the renter finalizes details with other parties however, should the date be requested by another party a $75 deposit is required immediately. If the deposit is not received the date will be rented to the next party. Also, if the booking agent is unable to reach the original requester within 24 hours the day will be rented to the second party.
The date is not secured until the deposit is received. You may also make full payment at the time of the request.
The deposit is non-refundable. However, the deposit can be used to rent the Valens Community Centre on another date as long as it is booked within a year of the original rental date and you contacted the booking agent about the cancellation at least 14 days prior to your event. Bookings can be paid in full at any time but are due 14 days before the rental date.
The entire fee of $180 (or $230 for events with alcohol) is non-refundable and non-transferable if you cancel your booking within 14 days of your event.
The entire rental fee can be paid at any time but the latest date it is due is 14 days prior to the event. However, if you rent the facility within two weeks of your event, payment in full is required immediately.
Payment can be made to Valens Community Centre via cash or cheque or you can e-transfer the rental deposit and/or full rental fee. DO NOT SEND E-TRANSFERS TO THE BOOKING AGENT. Please refer to the terms and conditions document provided by the booking agent. There you will find the specific details to send payment.
A damage/extra cleaning cash deposit of $150 may be required, depending on the type of event being held. The booking agent will advise renters on this deposit, if it is required. This fee is refunded if the community centre is left in the condition it was found in. You will be contacted the week after your event once Maintenance has inspected the hall and arrangements made for pick up of the deposit. Renters can also roll the deposit forward for a future event.
The hall accommodates up to 130 people. The room is 22 feet by 67 feet with a 9 ft. ceiling.
The renter is responsible to open and close the facility.
It is the renter’s responsibility to contact the booking agent the week before the event (or earlier) to obtain information regarding hall access.
Please text her at 905-928-7571.
Please note the earliest you can get into the hall is 10 a.m. the day of your event.
Yes. Set up and takedown is the responsibility of the renter. It is expected that the hall be reinstated to the condition in which renters found it.
Yes. For a fee. Please talk to the booking agent for further details. Also, renters must extend their insurance coverage to include any additional days.
There is to be absolutely no confetti used inside or outside the hall. This includes:
- Tiny circles
- Oversized circles
- Photofetti with pictures printed on them
- Biodegradable options
- Different shapes the confetti can be cut into
- Confetti push-pops
- Petals
- Rice confetti or other natural options
- Tissue paper confetti
- Glitter confetti, etc.
The only type of tape you can use to put up balloons, streamers, signs, etc. is painter’s tape or Scotch Wall-Safe Tape (or a similar “wall-safe” product). All other tape will pull off the paint, damaging the wall.
This is subject to the availability of the hall and may be arranged for a $80 fee as long as items are removed by 10 a.m. the following morning (or a day and time the booking agent approves). Normally, all items and equipment are to be removed at the end of the renter’s event. If approval is given the renter’s insurance coverage will have to cover the additional day.
For insurance purposes, only battery-operated candles are allowed.
Yes, as long as they abide by the Municipal Alcohol Policy/City of Hamilton. Renters are also required to obtain a Special Occasions Permit from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and the proper insurance ($5-million liability). A copy of the permit and insurance certificate must be provided to the booking agent.
As well, anyone serving alcohol must be Smart Serve certified and a copy of their certificate must be provided to the agent and be posted at the event.
Renters are responsible for obtaining their own bartenders, who must be Smart Serve Certified. A copy of their certificate must be given to the booking agent as well as be posted during the event. Events under 100 people require 1 bartender. Events with 100+ people require 2 bartenders.
The hall does not provide this service.
At least one bartender must be tending the bar at all times. If renters want tables cleared during the event, they should hire an additional person to do this.
No, smoking is not allowed anywhere inside or outside.
All events must be done and the building vacated by 1 a.m. the next day.
Yes. We ask that you leave the hall in the same condition that you found it. Please clean up as much as possible.
This includes:
- Removal of all decorations and debris (this includes popping all balloons – not leaving a bag full of inflated balloons).
- Scraping food from plates into the garbage and putting them along with all other used dinnerware and glassware into the dishwasher and turning it on.
- Properly cleaning all kitchen equipment and putting it away.
- Cleaning all kitchen counters.
- Cleaning all Valens tables and chairs and restacking them where they were found.
- Ensuring all garbage is bagged and placed in the dumpster located outside the hall and across the parking lot at the conclusion of the event.
Brooms are located in the “fire room” behind the door.
Garbage like food leftovers, plastic containers, paper tablecloths, etc., from your event must be placed in a trash bag, tied shut, and disposed of in the dumpster located outside the hall and across the parking lot.
Do NOT leave your garbage inside the hall or anywhere outside other than in the dumpster.
Your help with this is appreciated.
No. Deep fryers are not allowed to be used on the property – not inside or outside.
Cooking oil and animal fat, whether from barbecuing or reheating food, will clog our pipes and harm our septic system. And, the grease on dishes placed in our dishwasher will clog up the dishwasher drain, too.
Whatever you do, don’t pour fats, oil, or grease down the drain.
The best way to dispose of cooking oil and grease is to throw it in the trash. To do so, just follow these steps:
- Allow the oil to cool.
- Pour it into a container and put the lid on. (We have put some containers below the sink for your use).
- Toss the container into the trash.
Do not pour hot oil into the trash can. It could melt the plastic trash bag and cause a mess. Also, use a container that you can seal so that it doesn’t spill out and potentially leak. A couple of options include an empty jar or, for larger amounts, an empty laundry soap bottle. And be sure to wipe oil-coated pans with paper towels before washing.
We do not provide these services.
No, we do not have a list.
The community centre is equipped with tables and chairs. However, we do not provide linens or chair covers. These can be rented from various rental companies.
There are:
- 18 large rectangular tables, each 8 ft. long by 30 inches wide
- 4 smaller rectangular tables
- 135 dark brown plastic chairs
We have 18 large rectangular tables, each 8 ft. long by 30 inches wide.
Each seat 8 to 10 people comfortably.
Yes, but you are responsible for taking them with you after your rental.
Our kitchen is fully equipped and we also provide plates, utensils and cups for the maximum capacity of the hall.
All tea towels have been removed from the facility for sanitary reasons. Therefore, please be sure to bring your own.
Yes, a large parking lot with free parking is located beside the building. Vehicles may be left overnight but they must be picked up by 10 a.m. the following day. Valens Community Centre is not responsible for any damage that may occur to vehicles parked in its lot or for the theft of any property contained within any vehicles.
Yes. There will be a designated on-call City supervisor available to assist you with any questions/emergencies.
Their phone number is 905-546-2424, ext. 2500 which is located on a sign in the hallway.
There is a thermostat that you can adjust during your event but we kindly ask you to reset the temperature to 63 F at the end of your event and ensure the fan is set to OFF.
Yes, we welcome any caterers of your choosing. Please note that the kitchen is to be used to prepare and warm food only. No cooking.
The hall does not have any AV equipment.
Third party service providers (entertainers, caterers, party rental equipment, etc.) must be approved by the booking agent at the time of the rental request and additional requirements may apply. Please notify the booking agent should any changes or additions be made after booking.
There is no stage or platform.
No, there is no wi-fi in the Valens Community Centre.
Gambling or betting for gain/reward is strictly prohibited on any city property. Lotteries or games of chance including 50/50 draws require a license which can be issued to organizations that meet the criteria of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. For further information go to http://www.agco.on.ca
Yes, renters can arrange with an inflatables company to come and set up a bouncy castle on our premises. However, renters will have to get a minimum of $5 million in third party liability insurance.
No. Deep fryers are not allowed to be used on the property – not inside or outside.
A reduced rate is offered to non-profit groups and/or registered charities who use our space. To qualify, you must show evidence of your organization’s impact on the community and/or provide your registered charity number.
Yes, there is. It is located in a box on the wall by the front doors. The EpiPen, also known as an epinephrine auto-injector, is used for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to insect bites or stings, medicines, foods, or other substances. It is also used to treat anaphylaxis caused by unknown substances or triggered by exercise. Note: You must get emergency medical help right away in addition to using the EpiPen. Call 911.
No, dogs and other animals are not allowed in the facility unless they are registered service animals. For renters who use the outdoor facilities, pets are welcome as long as they remain outside and the owners clean up after them.
Yes, there are receptacles in the pavilion.
Yes, you or your caterers can cook outside.
Reviews
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Paul Van Oosten
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