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By Dorothy Brotherton
THE FORMER Cornerstone Pub – along with an adjoining bowling alley – has had a redemptive transformation that may surprise people who used what the
building formerly offered. It’s been repurposed, to serve the community in a new way.
Kelowna’s Salvation Army purchased the $2.8-million property last June and has given the
building, at 200 Rutland Road, a $1 million renovation.
The Army’s community life centre, a thrift store, administrative and resources spaces,
and even a food bank service will be centred in the 18,000-square-foot
building.
“The dream is that it becomes part of the fabric of the transformation of the
neighbourhood,” said Major Ron Cartmell, a Salvation Army pastor. He noted 80 percent of those
who come for assistance to community life services are working poor and single
parents; so interacting with those groups has become the Salvation Army’s primary role in Kelowna.
“The vast majority come from this neighbourhood,” he added, referring to the area close to the new building.
The Salvation Army has been offering these services in downtown Kelowna – some of them through their Kelowna Community Church. Much of this work will
continue.
But the new building signals an important shift in policy, as well as offering
convenience to users. “We are moving into their neighbourhood. We’re trying not to make everyone come to us; we will go to them,” said Cartmell.
The focus of work centred in the new building will be mentoring and establishing
relationships, as well as things such as parenting classes.
The Army works with other agencies – for example, Revenue Canada. Help is offered to families to do tax returns, so
they can get child tax credits. People in need of dental care are referred to
helping agencies, and many other practical types of assistance are offered.
“A lot of it is walking with people through difficult times and helping them
become part of the community,” explained Cartmell. “Often it is sitting down over coffee, giving them someone who will listen, and
helping them through the journey.”
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The new building thrust began after the Army had leased space for these services
for years, but then realized prices were only growing for leased space. “We needed to find property that could be home,” added Cartmell.
The location is on efficient bus lines so people can get to it easily, and it
will still be accessible to those who formerly used downtown services.
The Salvation Army had moved community life services into a temporary office
three blocks away, so people could get used to the general location.
Renovation work has been major. It involved a full rebuild of the building’s interior. It wasn’t enough to just pull out carpet to get rid of certain smells; in some areas,
even drywall had to come out. “Of course the bowling lanes are gone,” Cartmell added.
The church picked up initial costs of both property and renovation, has taken a
sizable mortgage, and is looking for help to decrease the debt. Doors of the
new community life centre are expected to open March 13.
February 2010
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