Renovations are underway at the Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter on Townsite Road.
The shelter first began fundraising last December in an effort to bring the building up to provincial building and fire code standards.
A total of $289,000 was raised through a combination of grants and fundraising efforts, including $120,000 from the federal Reaching Home program. Some of the funds will be invested in the upgrades, while the remainder will be spent supporting the efforts of the shelter’s ‘clean team’ which cleans up neighbourhood graffiti and litter, as well as the shower program at Caledonia Park.
“The generous donations from the citizens of Nanaimo and the financial support provided by government agencies have meant we can now go ahead and make the essential capital repairs needed to ensure the comfort and safety of our shelter guests,” said Paul Manly, the shelter’s executive director, in the release.
READ MORE: Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter launches fundraiser for much-needed renos
The upgrades to the shelter include updating the electrical and plumbing systems, making the walls more fire-safe, adding an accessible washroom and shower, as well as replacing the crumbling flooring.
The Unitarian shelter provides emergency shelter to adults in Nanaimo ages 19 and over seven days a week. Free showers can be accessed through the shower program from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday.