QUALICUM BEACH — An Oceanside organization which has helped families for almost 60 years is moving out of Qualicum Beach and centralizing all of its resources in Parksville.
The Society of Organized Services (SOS) announced on their social media page they would be ending their tenancy at Qualicum Commons after a decade, moving all of the programs to their Parksville Community Services Centre on Hirst Ave.
SOS executive director Susanna Newton said it’ll be a big change for them and their volunteers, with several factors leading to this decision.
“The uncertain future of the Qualicum Commons facility, ongoing issues that we’ve had in the building, and, obviously, operational cost. All of those programs that we have offered at Qualicum Commons will continue to be offered, they’re just offered from Parksville.”
The future of Qualicum Commons has been up in the air since the Qualicum School District’s board of trustees voted to close the facility last year due to overrunning operational costs.
The Town is conducting a formal review on how to keep the Commons in operation, with the district recommending its closure at their regular board meeting on March 11 for members to vote on.
If approved, the Qualicum Commons would be closed to the public and business effective July 1.
Located at 744 Primrose St. in Qualicum Beach, the Qualicum Commons is on the site of a former elementary school, shut down by the Qualicum School District in 2014 due to low enrolment numbers. (Google Maps)Newton said they also made the “difficult decision” to transition away from their seniors connecting programs but will still offer many of their programs for those in their golden years.
“Oceanside Better at Home, our Seniors Advocacy Services, Meals on Wheels, our medical appointment transportation, so we’re still definitely serving the senior demographic. These are the sort of…strategic shifts that are necessary so that we can focus our efforts and really continue to serve those who need our help the most.”
She said their services are still available to all residents within the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public School district, now all centralized in Parksville, much like how they operated prior to the opening of the Qualicum Commons location in 2015.
Newton went on to say they’re hoping to find a suitable location for youth drop-in events in Qualicum in the future while still providing transportation for Qualicum students to Parksville to take in their programs.
They’re also doubling the number of sessions of their popular TICTAC program, offering a nurturing environment for kids younger than five years old and their caregivers.
“Change is sometimes hard for some people, but we’re really hoping that those individuals from Qualicum and those areas that surround Qualicum will continue to come to our services and programs here in Parksville.”
More information on all the services provided by SOS can be found here on their website, sosd69.com, or call their Parksville Community Services Centre at 250-248-2093.
The SOS Thrift Shop on West Hirst Ave. in Parksville will continue operation with their regular hours. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.
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