The Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum Bay needs a new roof.
Its caretakers say it’s going to cost more than $35,000 to replace the aging roof, which is more than 20 years old and is suffering moss growth.
The Lighthouse Community Centre Society, which maintains the building and surrounding property, is asking the Regional District of Nanaimo for financial assistance.
President Shauna McRae Okine stated in her letter to the regional district that the roof has exceeded the lifespan of the current shingles, leaving them with shrinkage, curled edges and some leaking.
The centre, located in Electoral Area H, is a popular venue for community gatherings, concerts, sports, artistic endeavours and a variety of recreational, cultural and community programs.
The society pays for the maintenance of the centre through rentals, monthy income from the Second Sunday Market and Pancake Breakfast, the Soupy Cafe Community Lunch and hall-sponsored special events and donations. The monthly revenue of the centre is $4,200 and annually it is $46,800. Their monthly expenses amount to $3,174 totalling $44,209 annually.
Okine provided the RDN with some roofing quotes. The cheapest price came from Arrowsmith Roofing Ltd. for $35,962.50, followed by Jake’s Roofing Ltd. at $43,850 and Owner’s Pride at $44,880.07.
At the RDN commitee of the whole meeting, chair and Area H director Bill Veenhof presented a motion that, pending project approval from the Union of BC Municipalities, the board enter into an agreement with the society for up to $36,000 of Electoral Area H Community Funds allocation to be contributed towards the roof replacement project.
The RDN has a Communty Works Fund agreement with UBCM which funds the program.
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