New gospel radio station to launch in Windsor

By Felicia Patterson

The manager of a Chatham-Kent radio station is planning to expand its broadcast into Windsor.

United Canadian Broadcasters has been active in provinces across Canada since 2003. According to their website, they are one of the country’s leading Christian media charities, aiming to “inspire hope in the community through sharing the love of Christ through the media. The company originated in New Zealand in the 1970s and has spread across the world. .” UCB has radio stations in Brockville, Belleville, Bancroft, Kingston, Thunder Bay, Cobourg Port Hope and Chatham-Kent. The Windsor station, 90.5 FM, is expected to launch in early spring.

Station Manager Matt Reaume has been with UCB Chatham Radio 89.3 FM since its early days in 2007 and is looking forward to the expansion in Windsor.

“We’re looking to make a big splash in the community and to really connect with our listeners, give them positive and encouraging radio that will hopefully connect with their lives,” said Reaume. “We want to give them that boost in this world of negativity, that uplifting encouragement from day-to-day.”

Another member of the gospel radio team in Chatham, Sarah Masters, enjoys her work and hopes UCB will become a trusted community hub in Windsor.

“Being the first point of contact with the listeners that stop by has provided many touching experiences,” said Masters, the midday host for UCB Chatham Radio. “The people I work with are fantastic, we have a really great team.”

The mission of the company is to create an engaging media connection that encourages faith, inspiring you to share “Christ’s love.” The company is 75 per cent non-profit.

“A woman came in, days after her husband’s passing, to give a donation. While processing the donation she opened up and shared her story. She told me of her husband’s passing and how much of a comfort the station had been to her during the tough days that followed,” said Masters. “It was such a powerful moment and a great reminder of how lucky I am to be in a position where I can connect so deeply and personally with people.”

A team has been formed to carry out the daily duties of the new radio station’s operations, including community engagement manager Maxine Ebegbuzie, who says working for the company means being an active participant in local events.

“I’m doing a lot of work on the back end and trying to reach out and let people know that we’re here,” said Ebegbuzie. “What I’m doing mainly is communicating with churches, with non-profit individuals, contacting local politicians and linking up with big players that are doing great work within the community and doing our best to support local events.”

As part of their community engagement, UCB was present at the Polar Plunge, a fundraiser supporting the Special Olympics on Feb.2, alongside organizations including the Windsor Police and Leamington Police.

Reaume says their systems are almost ready to go to begin UCB broadcasts out of Windsor.

“We currently have a transmitter site,” said Reaume. “It’s on the corner of Tecumseh and Ouellette Avenue. We’ve got Windsor offices that are on Northwood Street. We still have to get through some hurdles with technical amendments and antennas.”

The radio station expects to be operating by March or April.