There's a lot happening at the Nanoose Bay Community Centre these days.
According to a press release, in addition to a new executive being elected at its annual general meeting on June 17, the completion of another portion of its $500,000 two-year capital project fundraising drive was just announced, this time for the $140,000 replacement of the whole septic system at Nanoose Place.
This portion of the capital project campaign is the largest single capital project undertaken since Nanoose Place was volunteer-built 33 years ago. The ongoing capital upgrades have been partially funded by grants from the Canada Community Development Fund, administered by the Regional District of Nanaimo, and from the many substantial donations from Oceanside's local businesses and community members, all received during the past 24 months.
"The response from local government, individuals and community businesses has been fantastic," said outgoing vice-president Trish Widdershoven, who gave special thanks to the RDN's Area E Representative, Bob Rogers, for his tireless efforts on behalf of Nanoose Place.
"He really made the difference for us here," she said. She also made special mention of the family of George Holme, the estate of longtime Nanoose resident Pauline Grey, the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Community Foundation, the Nanoose Bay Lions and the Rotary Club of Parksville for their contributions that made possible the go-ahead for a substantial number of other capital improvements.
Returning Nanoose Place president, Eve Flynn, announced the contract awarded to CRM Excavation of Nanoose Bay to complete the full replacement of the entire septic system infrastructure during the next six weeks was now underway.
"We're going to have the new system in full operation by mid-summer and be ready for Nanoose Place's Community Days on Sept. 13," said Flynn. "We're so pleased that we'll be fully operational in time for all of our big upcoming community events this fall and winter and I want to acknowledge the substantial kickoff donations to our fundraising campaign from the Widdershoven Foundation. Without this initial financial donation, we just wouldn't have been able to realize the completion of this and other upgrade projects."
She added the next phase of the community centre fundraising campaign would be focused on finishing the replacement of all Nanoose Place's exterior doors, upgrading the dedicated seniors space and the improvement of the acoustics in the mail hall.
