Taking risks doesn’t come naturally to most government agencies. If an unconventional initiative goes sideways or implodes, the political fallout can be brutal.
But the Salt Spring Local Community Commission (LCC) has proven itself willing to take a chance on the Chuan Society and its proposal to create a “neighbourhood house,” leasing the former Phoenix school property on Drake Road to the society for one year. The society plans to host a range of activities — from arts and culture events, to health and wellness offerings, workshops, gardening and lots of food sharing.
Only two proposals for leasing the site, which is still owned by the Gulf Islands School District but is leased to the LCC through the Capital Regional District (CRD), were received. The other was for the Creek Song Learning Centre, a Waldorf-inspired educational program that has operated this year on the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga property. While the school district’s lease with the CRD states that preference should be shown for lessees with a youth focus, LCC members felt the Chuan proposal filled a more critical gap in services.
With Chuan having leased a former portable building on the same property from last December through March of this year — running the Hearth warming space and its popular Gabriel’s Kitchen weekly meal there — the LCC is already familiar with their new tenant, and the experience was a positive one. In fact, the LCC took a “risk” with that venture and, as was so obvious at the final Hearth gathering attended by the Driftwood on March 29, where participants shared their experiences, it was well worth it from a whole community perspective.
As with any undertaking requiring interactions between humans, problems will certainly occur. But the people involved with Chuan have already proven they know how to deal with issues that arise and how to make the most of solid alliances.
Situated next to the new BC Housing-funded supportive housing complex, and close to Ganges, the location is ideal for a community centre where giving, sharing and inclusion will be the norm.
Assuming nothing pops up to derail the process, we look forward to seeing what the opening of doors and turning of soil will bring next to the former Phoenix school site — and what’s on the menu, of course!