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Old Nanaimo hospital still standing, for now

Former home of seniors’ care facility, college and hospital to be demolished in October.
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The former home of the Malaspina Gardens seniors’ care facility is nearing its demolition date. The newer annexes to the building were torn down this week, but the original portion of the structure will remain standing until October. (CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin)

One of Nanaimo’s old buildings with plenty of history is nearing its date for demolition.

The former Malaspina Gardens seniors care residence at 388 Machleary St., built between 1925 and 1942, was the Nanaimo Hospital until 1962 when the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital was constructed.

It was also the original home to Malaspina College, now Vancouver Island University, in the 1960s and early ’70s.

The newer portions of what was the Malaspina Gardens facility was torn down this week, but the original portion will remain standing while workers strip its interior of any environmentally sensitive materials.

Brad Morrison, project manager for Clearview Demolition, said the original, oldest portion of the structure will remain standing until October.



Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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