The Saltair District Residents Association presented two individuals with Saltair Community Service Awards in its first official business under a new name.
The association, previously known as the Saltair District Ratepayers Association, honoured Tim Godau and Jackie Rieck with awards during its annual general meeting April 28 at the Saltair Community Centre. Saltair Community Society president Godau and Rieck were singled out for their efforts as representatives of the many local volunteers who have worked to update and improve the old Mount Brenton Elementary School building.
The current Saltair Community Centre is used by numerous groups for meetings, working studio space and as an exhibition venue.
Jane Cole Walton, SDRA president, presented the award to Godau and he also accepted on Rieck’s behalf, as she couldn’t attend due to illness.
The award is given from time to time to residents of Saltair, who have made and continue making outstanding contributions to the community.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District purchased the building and surrounding land in 2014. In 2015, the Saltair Community Society was incorporated as a non-profit organization and leased the former school from the CVRD to operate the facility.
Major repairs and improvements have been made to the building and equipment since 2016. Saltair tax dollars and gas tax funds have replaced the roof, the gym ceiling, gym windows with thermal windows, replaced four oil furnaces with efficient gas furnaces, installed a new water main and remediated/renovated Room 5.
Revenue from rental space enabled the Saltair Community Society to contribute $73,000 towards improvements.
Volunteers have donated in excess of 13,540 hours to perform numerous tasks, including: painting much of the interior and exterior, improving access, installation for the furnaces, building a new accessible washroom, refurbishing the floors, providing interior and exterior ground maintenance, booking rental spaces and managing the Centre’s finances.
