The District of Sechelt will receive a $65,000 B.C./Canada 150 grant to fix the flooding problems at Rockwood Lodge.
The project was one of more than 220 in B.C. to be approved for a one-time grant under the program, worth a total of $7.6 million, the province announced April 2.
The grants were given to organizations responsible for museums, archives or historic places.
Rockwood Lodge was built in 1936 and has been designated as a heritage building. Owned by the district and located at 5511 Shorncliffe Ave., Rockwood is often used by the community for events and workshops, such as the annual writers’ festival.
“Rockwood is a signature item in Sechelt’s community identity and sense of place,” said Mayor Bruce Milne this week. “Buildings such as Rockwood Lodge provide a tangible connection to local history.”
The important heritage building has been experiencing daily basement flooding for months due to drainage issues. Sechelt workers have been pumping out the water regularly but more money was needed for a permanent fix.
That’s why the district applied for a grant earlier this year, and news of its receipt has the municipality excited.
“We are thrilled to be one of the communities selected to receive a grant,” said Siobhan Smith, arts, culture and communications coordinator for Sechelt. “This is a much needed investment in our local heritage.”
With the funding secured, Smith said members of maintenance, building and engineering will meet on Monday, April 10 to create a detailed work plan to fix the flooding and repair the damage that’s been done.
“The project requires a complete re-do of the building drainage system, including perimeter drains and excavating for a storm drain and manhole,” Smith said, noting work inside the building will focus on mould remediation.
Staff expects the work at Rockwood to take six to eight weeks to complete.
“They’ll work around the schedule of the Word Play festival (June 25) and Festival of the Written Arts (Aug. 17-20),” Smith said.
