Officials with Gibsons United Church say their property at 724 Trueman Rd. has been sold, and now they have to get it ready for new tenants – a daycare facility – who move in Feb. 1.
A daycare is one of the allowed uses under the property’s current public assembly (PA) zoning.
During the transition to a new home at the Gibsons Public Market, the congregation will continue to use an office space, and continue holding services in the sanctuary in the main church building.
The name of the buyer, who is leasing the building to the daycare, has not been revealed.
Michele Stobie, church treasurer and transition team leader, said the long-term plan for the building includes a centre for visual and performing arts.
Stobie said part of the work facing the transition team now includes clearing out the annex building that houses the Thrift Shop, kitchen, hall and fellowship room. The Thrift Shop will be open for the last time Jan. 13 and 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. The church is collaborating with other groups and thrift stores on the Coast as well as recycling locations, and a gigantic sale is planned for Jan. 21 in the Fellowship Hall.
Stobie said the congregation will also have to part with a full-size grand piano, a Boston piano originally designed and sold by Steinway and Company, after plans to relocate it to the Market building turned out to be impractical.
“That’s breaking our hearts, but we do need to find a home for it,” she said. “We’re completing an ad and circulating it to the music community in town and in Vancouver and all the usual places.”
Plans are also being finalized for the special services to deconsecrate the church buildings. Those will be open to the public – as are all Gibsons United services – and details will be released soon.
Stobie said people interested in purchasing the piano should watch for an ad in Coast Reporter or email [email protected]
