Inspirational Update
Rockwood Lodge Community Space
Siobhán Smith, M.A., Arts, Culture & Communications Coordinator, District of Sechelt
In 2017, the District of Sechelt was awarded a $65,000 British Columbia | Canada 150 Grant through the BC Museums Association to repair and renovate the lower level of Rockwood Lodge. A failure in the building’s main drainage system had led to multiple floods, compromising the integrity of the community’s only designated heritage building, and making the space unusable to residents and visitors. The grant provided the District with the necessary funds to repair the extensive damage and to create a fresh and bright community space with an accessible washroom, a kitchen, and to install an art hanging system.
In May 2018, after nearly a year-long renovation project, the Rockwood Lodge’s community space re-opened to the public. The garden level has become a hub for dozens of community organizations. Social service organizations and support groups host private gatherings, non-profits host their board meetings and AGMs, yoga instructors teach classes, and each year the space is used as part of the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl.
Despite the public health restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19, the space was booked an average of two days each week throughout 2020 to allow organizations to provide essential services for our most vulnerable community members.
Prior to renovation, the community space had flooded multiple times and mold was growing along the bottom edge of the walls and behind the drywall, January 2017.
Photo credit: District of Sechelt.
After renovation, April 2018. New flooring, framing and drywall, lighting, window blinds, and track-style art hanging system.
Photo credit: District of Sechelt.
Before the renovation, 2017. This room contained a sink and storage.
Photo credit: District of Sechelt.
After renovation, April 2018. Entrance to new kitchen.
Photo credit: District of Sechelt.
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Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, 2019. Artwork by Bruce Edwards.
Photo credit: District of Sechelt.
Didactic panel on the history of Rockwood Lodge, 2018.
Photo credit: District of Sechelt.
