Forbes Hall Expansion Update ~ May 27, 2020
Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 9:44AM Thetis Island Community Association
The walls are rising, reaching to heights we have only dreamt about! The trusses are on, and sheathing has begun. It is inspiring to see the change that the addition of the Assembly Hall is bringing to our renewed Forbes Hall. Lovely wide stairs and a gently sloped access ramp welcome us onto the beautiful new entry patio. Step by step, the project is actualizing the potential that used to be only envisioned and on paper.
The siding and colour packages are being worked on at present, and Peter de Hoog is very helpful as he leads us through this very important step. Cost-saving decisions are made wherever possible, without detracting from the beauty of both the timberwork, and architecture. Colour renderings of the project are being created, with its recent changes, for sharing with the community in the near future.
While the crew is working on walls and roofs, Greg Gall has put together a group of volunteers to assist in parging the concrete, applying a topcoat of thinned concrete to cover imperfections. Anyone wanting to add their name to the volunteer call-out list should contact Greg Gall directly at gnp.gall@gmail.com. Even though requests for volunteers are posted, sometimes there is short-notice regarding the need for volunteers, so you might want him to know of your interest ahead of time. Greg is committed to getting volunteers out to help with the Project. To date 204 hours of volunteer work, by 14 volunteers, have contributed to the Project.
As much as we appreciate help, please know that no volunteer “Drop In’s” are allowed.
With the restart on the hall, organizing has been going on behind the scenes with TICA. A Communication & Engagement Committee has been created to develop a plan to support the Project by communicating with both the membership and public, and to encourage community involvement. As social rules around COVID-19 start to ease, and to a level that is comfortable for us on Thetis, plans for gathering may be considered.
If you want to see what’s happening on-site just give any of the Project Management Team a call: Carolyn Askew, Ron Bannister, Doug Darling, or Ann Dickie. They are willing (and excited) to facilitate brief tours for up to 4 people at a time as requested. Please remember that no one is allowed on site without Michel Poirier, or any of those named above, present. And yes, this includes “just a quick look around”. It is an active construction site, and there are dangers present.
Big thanks to Michel Poirier, Chad Kerr, Liam Strachan, Mike Marini & Mark Lauzon, as well as Greg Gall and the volunteers, for your work on the Project, and know that you are appreciated in all that you are doing for the Community!
It is exciting to see the Forbes Hall Expansion Project moving ahead, with such purpose, and very much as a community project.
For Forbes Hall Project photos, click here.
