The Coombs Community Hall built in 1921 served as a central hub for many local events. (submitted/Sharon Cox-Gustavson)

By Ian Holmes

historic building

Old Coombs Community Hall fondly remembered after devastating fire

Jan 15, 2021 | 5:26 AM

COOMBS — A substantial fire levelling the historic old Coombs Community Hall is igniting memories and emotions for those deeply tied to the site.

The nearly 100-year-old structure on Hwy. 4 in the sprawling rural community burned down in the Jan. 3 fire which sent pillars of flame and smoke into the air.

Coombs historian Sharon Cox-Gustavson spent a significant amount of time at the facility as a child.

“It was a community activity centre where everything forever happened,” Cox-Gustavson said, trembling with emotion. “From community parties, Halloween, Christmas, spring time, ice cream socials, the Fall Fowl suppers, which were fantastic.”

The small hall with an entertainment stage was constructed in 1921 and served the region until the early 1990’s. It was transferred to private ownership and operated as a secondhand store for many years. It was most recently contained a cannabis shop and was leased out to a church.

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Aftermath of the devastating fire at the former Coombs Community Hall on Jan 3, 2021. (Sharon Cox-Gustavson)

Cox-Gustavson vividly recalled watching monthly black and white western movies at the old Coombs Community Hall in the 1940’s.

“With the old reel-to-reel projector there seemed to always be an excess of intermissions, while the projectionist tried to remedy the problems,” the retired teacher said.

She said wedding receptions and anniversary parties were open to the entire community.

“We’d make posters that somebody was having a wedding anniversary and all are welcome. It always went up on the bulletin board in from of the community hall.”

Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog, who grew up in Coombs, said “sentiment and memory” compelled him to visit the charred remnants hours after the fire.

“I was very drawn to it…It was an integral part of the community, lots of family history there,” Krog said.

Several of Krog’s family members held milestone events at the building, including his great grandparents’ 60^th wedding anniversary.

He vividly recalled nervously performing in school choirs and plays in front of packed crowds at the old hall.

The fire remains under investigation with the insurance company. It’s not considered a criminal matter by the Oceanside RCMP.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

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