A total transformation is underway for local charity Cool Aid SocietyB次元官网网址檚 downtown Victoria community centre.
On Saturday (Aug. 27), HeroWork officially kicked off its B次元官网网址渞adical renovationB次元官网网址� of the downtown community centre, which serves as an emergency shelter, daycare centre and counselling space for some of Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 most vulnerable.
Self-described B次元官网网址渄irector of radicalB次元官网网址� and general manager of the charity revamping other charities, Trevor Botkin, said the community centre was overdue for renewal due to restrictions stemming from an old design.
B次元官网网址淚t was dimly lit B次元官网网址� the paint hadnB次元官网网址檛 been refreshed and it was really restricted by this tiny kitchen that it had,B次元官网网址� he recalled. B次元官网网址淥nce they started using that kitchen, they had to shut down the rest of the building because there wasnB次元官网网址檛 enough room to cook and do food prep.B次元官网网址�
Volunteers have been working away since Aug. 8 when demolition began. Valued at roughly $700,000, the project is expected to be completed this fall. The HeroWork team anticipates anywhere from 30 to 70 volunteers B次元官网网址� around 40 per cent of whom have experience in construction or the trades B次元官网网址� helping each weekend until the grand reveal, scheduled for Nov. 12.
New elements being added to the community centre include an expanded community kitchen, re-envisioned floor layout, new multi-purpose space, gender-neutral washrooms, exterior gathering space and more.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a major upgrade without a doubt, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not whatB次元官网网址檚 making this renovation radical, according to Botkin.
B次元官网网址淭his project is radical because of the people involved,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his project we valued at $700,000 and weB次元官网网址檙e going to do it all with volunteers. Ninety-eight per cent of our volunteers are from the community B次元官网网址� the general public, who all want to come together and roll up their sleeves and make a difference for a community thatB次元官网网址檚 not used to people showing up with this kind of presence, power and energy. HeroWork really works to build up entire communities of vulnerable by building up the charities that directly serve them.B次元官网网址�
Aimee North, volunteer and construction project manager, said this is the first time sheB次元官网网址檚 done anything like this. B次元官网网址淚t sounded like such a good opportunity to be able to share whatever skills we have, and all pull together and do something for the community.B次元官网网址�
This fall, HeroWork will be hosting an B次元官网网址�80s-themed fundraising event on Sept. 24 at Colwood Creek Park. For more information on how to get involved, visit .
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