No replacement found for beloved Neutral Zone gym
NANAIMO — Nearly two months after a beloved community space sustained serious fire damage, there’s no forward progress on finding a replacement for the much needed space.
The Franklyn St. Gym, known as the Neutral Zone and primarily used by Tillicum Lelum to house numerous community programs helping those in need, was badly damaged by fire and water in a suspicious blaze on Thursday, Oct. 18.
At the time, Tillicum Lelum executive director Grace Elliott Nielsen told NanaimoNewsNOW losing access to the building was a “big loss for a non-profit that doesn’t have a whole lot of funds.”
Nearly two months later, as the building sits damaged and empty, Nielsen said the loss of available space has left a serious gap in programs and services for the most vulnerable.