By Spencer Sterritt

No replacement found for beloved Neutral Zone gym

Dec 11, 2018 | 10:33 AM

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.

“They’re going to get lost in the system and that would be a real tragedy for the whole community.”

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Up to 200 families and children a month would visit the Neutral Zone for meals and recreational time, as well as attend services and programs which helped them grow and thrive in a safe space.

It was also used as a hub by organizations such as Island Health and the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive.

“We have families and kids who went there while not accessing any other programs anywhere, including our own,” Nielsen said. “These are kids who have families which live under bridges or in (the new closed) tent city. These are kids and families who came because they feel safe there and they don’t anywhere else.”

Tillicum Lelum staff started talks with both the City of Nanaimo and the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public School District shortly after the fire to find new programming space, whether it be renting out a community hall or using a school gym.

Dale Burgos, executive director of communications with the school district, said the district and Tillicum Lelum are “working closely on next steps” but couldn’t say how much progress was made to find a new safe space.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit