The main staircase at Beban House along Bowen Rd. in Nanaimo has been the location for a number of ghostly sightings over the years, many involving a boy with a red ball. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

scare for a good cause

Expanded haunted house raising money for Nanaimo-based youth programs

Oct 24, 2025 | 2:42 PM

NANAIMO — A two-night haunted house event at one of the city’s most notoriously spooky buildings will mix some local history with a fun fright.

BGC Central Vancouver Island are hosting their second annual haunted house event at Beban House at 2290 Bowen Rd., on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25.

Youth programs manager Grace Comeau said Friday’s offering is a more family-focused event with a lower level of jump scares.

“That’s more focused on the history of the house and allowing folks to come in and take a walk through and just hear some of the history of the family in the house itself. The family-friendly night will include the main floor and the basement…then Saturday night is our full scare night so that’s going to be more of that actual haunted house feeling.”

Doors open from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, then again from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

3h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

Entrance is by donation, with money going towards local youth programming run by BGC.

Nearly a dozen different actors will immerse visitors into the experience, providing some jump scares as well as a pair serving as Mr. and Mrs. Beban during tours of the house.

Last year was the first time BGC had opened up the historic Beban House in this fashion, with around 100 people attending the one-night event.

Comeau said they’re excited to share their surroundings while also playing into the Halloween theme.

“It’s a lot of fun to have such a unique facility that we can use, and we can get some of those families and kids and youth involved. You have that sort of blending where they’re going to get to learn about the history of the house and be involved in an event, but they also attend BGC programs, so it’s a really fun building of two worlds.”

Beban House is considered one of Nanaimo’s most haunted buildings, with long-standing stories of a boy with a red ball being seen atop the staircase inside the main entrance.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook