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The Arrowsmith Health Care Society in Parksville is holding a walking fundraiser to help complete phase two of their outdoor event space, which would add a timber-frame to shelter the concrete area. (Image Credit: Submitted/Noemi Naveed)
walk your way

‘Bring the community to them:’ Parksville care home raising money for outdoor space

Aug 21, 2026 | 5:34 AM

PARKSVILLE — The only non-profit long-term care and assisted living campus in Parksville is raising money to help their residents make the most of the outdoors.

The Arrowsmith Health Care Society (AHCS), made up of the Arrowsmith Lodge and Cokely Manor at 266 Moilliet St., recently launched the inaugural ‘Walk Your Way’ fundraiser to raise $30,000 to complete the second phase of their outdoor event space.

Volunteer coordinator Noemi Naveed said they already have the concrete foundation and pathways laid in the outdoor space at the intersection of the two buildings, and now they want to add a wooden frame to cover the space.

“It’ll be used to bring the wider community into AHCS. As our residents are kind of homebound, it’s nice to bring the community to them. We’ll do dancing. We’ve had live music, music festivals, choirs. We do lawn games, chair yoga, very outdoor-centric programming, which is the central hub and the heart of Aerosmith Lodge, our activity programs.”

A look at the current outdoor event space at the AHCS, already being used to connect residents with their community.
A look at the current outdoor event space at the AHCS, already being used to connect residents with their community. (Image Credit: Submitted/Noemi Naveed)

She said Walk Your Way, which runs from Aug. 19 until Sept. 19, works like a walkathon, where people can register online and set a distance goal, asking for donations as they walk, run, bike, or swim their way to their goal.

She said phase two will add a timber-frame on top of the concrete foundation, creating a sheltered area they hope will “last for generations.”

Naveed said they’ve already raised the vast majority of their $200,000 goal for phase two, hoping Walk Your Way will help push them over the fundraising finish line.

“On September 19, the wrap-up day of the fundraiser, we’ll be having a celebration barbecue, and everyone’s welcome to come. We’re going to have some live music. We’ll do some burgers. There’ll be a final one-kilometre walk to celebrate. We’ll hand out prizes and acknowledge the top fundraisers. It’ll be a great day on the 19th, right at Aerosmith Lodge.”

She said they started raising money for the outdoor event space in Sept. 2023, and were able to pour the concrete platform to complete the pathway access from both facilities two years later.

Phase three is already being planned to add a gazebo shelter, a pavilion, and a memorial garden to complete the project.

Previously, large group activities would be held in their parking lot or between the orchard trees.

“We have embarked on this project to create a platform that invites various community groups and programs in, to engage with those who are no longer able to venture out into the greater community.”

More information on how you get involved in the Walk Your Way fundraising can be found here, or you can follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

The outdoor event space at AHCS is already seeing heavy use as they put the finishing touches on phase two.
The outdoor event space at AHCS is already seeing heavy use as they put the finishing touches on phase two. (Image Credit: Submitted/Noemi Naveed)

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