By Spencer Sterritt

New community hub ‘critical’ to transforming King Arthur Court

Jun 19, 2017 | 5:23 PM

NANAIMO — The townhouse complex formerly known as King Arthur Court is getting more than a name change and a face lift.

It’s now owned by the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, who are spearheading an effort to improve living conditions for the roughly 150 people who call it home. Centre executive director Chris Beaton said they’ve changed the name to Sanala, which means “to be whole” in the Kwakwala Indigenous language.

As well as renovating the existing townhouses, a three-bedroom space is becoming the Harewood Neighbourhood House, where community programs can set up for a day and offer free services directly to tenants of Sanala and the Harewood neighbourhood.

“The space is critical in being able to support families beyond the housing aspect,” Beaton said. “Housing is critical but there are other supports individuals need at a given time in their life and this space creates the opportunity to bring those programs and services right onto the property.”

He said there’s already been interest from various groups, such as early learning centres and chiropractors.

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The organizations will set up in one of the bedrooms of the neighbourhood house for a short time while the other rooms are used as a community lounge for people to have meals, coffee and socialize. Beaton said no one group will be at the house full-time, so people can receive as much help as they need without having to travel and spend money on taxis or bus tickets.

Members of the the community group Young Professionals of Nanaimo were at the townhouse over the weekend renovating.

Elise Morgan, a past president and current member of the organization who helped with the renovation, said it was inspiring to have most of their materials donated by companies around Nanaimo.

“So many members are sending me emails every day saying ‘Hey, I have these items I’d like to donate.’ We need everything, from couches to toys. You name it, we need it and it’s pretty amazing because (the Young Professionals) haven’t spent anything.”

King Arthur Court has a long history in Nanaimo. It was labelled as a nuisance property in 2010 and 2016 and has seen stabbings and assaults.

This is the first time the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre has tried to build a community space like this. Beaton said they’ll have something similar in their next affordable housing location on Bowen Rd.

He said while this isn’t the first time such as initiative has been attempted at the former King Arthur Court, this is the first time where it’s been a community project.

“In the short time we’ve been here, five or six weeks, we’re seeing some change,” he said. “We’re nowhere near where we want to be, but certainly we’re encouraged. I’m excited (and) tenants are quite happy change is coming.”

The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre bought the complex with $4.6 million from B.C. Housing.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit