Wooden beams supporting an exterior wall at Extension War Memorial Hall will be replaced by newly constructed meeting rooms and an expanded kitchen as part of seismic upgrades for the 102 year old facility. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

building for the future

Historic Errington hall primed for seismic upgrades

May 7, 2024 | 5:31 AM

ERRINGTON — Provincial grant money is helping secure the future for a key facility in Oceanside.

The century-old Errington War Memorial Hall recently received $250,000 for seismic upgrades from the province to stabilize the long side wall of the building facing Veterans Rd., at the corner of Errington Rd.

Hall association board member and past-president Lane Franklin told NanaimoNewsNOW the required work to keep the hall standing and strong also presented opportunities to grow.

“We came up with a game plan that solves the seismic problem but allows us to have the building be useable for the next 100 years by upgrading the kitchen, expanding use of the hall to another room out which can be used for several different things.”

A diagram of the new hall layout, with the pending seismic work and additions highlighted in red. The blue area denotes additional walls added several years ago, tying into a new accessible ramp (green). (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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In addition to expanding the kitchen by roughly a third of its current size, a new entrance, re-located bar area and added meeting room will complete the work.

The addition of rooms to the side of the building will stabilize the current exterior wall, which was seen to be sagging outwards in places many years ago.

Supported by four, angled beams which were installed just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing the building’s exterior was only meant to be a short-term, temporary solution.

Similar deficiencies were also seen on the opposing wall, with work done several years ago to add small storage rooms with intersecting walls.

Four wooden beams are mounted on the side of the building along Veterans Rd. are temporarily stabilizing a side wall, but will be replaced by newly-constructed rooms and exterior walls. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Available for rent and use by local community groups, Franklin said the hall is essential to the Errington community and is active on most days of the week.

Over the years, the hall has held countless musical performances, theatre shows, community gatherings, exercise classes, home school groups and pickup basketball games.

The fact the facility has been entirely volunteer-run since opening in 1922 is a testament to the pace of life in the small rural community.

“It’s hard to put it into words. I’ve lived here for about 25 years…I really notice that Erringotn has a huge connection to community. The volunteerism in our community is larger than anywhere I’ve ever experienced and this building is 102 years old and it’s being used as much as it is because of the volunteerism in this community.”

Several past upgrades, including a new tin roof around 25 years ago, as well as a more recent addition of an accessible ramp, were all done through volunteer building efforts and grant funds.

With the latest round of money waiting in the bank account, Franklin said a building permit from the Regional District of Nanaimo is the last required hurdle.

Franklin said he’s optimistic it will be issued in the coming weeks so they can get shovels in the ground and wrap construction in the fall.

Aside from ensuring the future of the hall for generations to come, Franklin said he wants the work undertaken here by the board and volunteers to inspire other, similar communities.

“I hope they learn about what we’re doing here and it encourages people to volunteer in their communities. It’s hugely rewarding, the returns on time spent is huge for each individual volunteering, as well as everybody else in the community.”

The multi-use hall is busy most days of the year, with community groups, musical and stage performances, meetings and other events. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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