NEWS
Please check in to this page on a regular basis if you want to stay current on 'happenings' with the Society. We will update it on a regular basis as projects move along.
SALHACS receives $25,000 donation
The St. Andrews Lodge Historical and Cultural Society was presented on November 18 with a cheque for $25,000 as a donation from local resident Pat Jacobson. The cheque was presented to Society vice-president Judith Kemp during a gathering at the historic Lodge that included Town Councillors and staff, SALHACS board members and Society volunteers.
“I am honoured to offer this gift to assist the St. Andrews Lodge Historical and Cultural Society in realizing its goal of preserving the Lodge and with it, an important slice of our social, cultural and economic history,” said Jacobson. “Our history is what we are today. The Little family had a huge impact in shaping it, on many levels.”
“The Lodge sits in a spectacular seaside park named Saahtlam,” Jacobson continued, “meaning ‘green at the mouth of the river.’ The name was recently gifted from Chief Michael Recalma and the Qualicum First Nation. So, we have a special combination of ‘settler history’ on land inhabited by and important to indigenous peoples over many centuries.
“This is a wonderful community-driven opportunity to bring the vision to life, for the enjoyment and benefit of residents and visitors alike. I strongly encourage others to get involved in whatever way they can to help the Society achieve its goals.”
The Society has been very fortunate to receive a number of personal donations since its recognition by the Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charitable society that is able to issue tax receipts. Other fund-raising plans include applications for a variety of grants and a number of special events in the coming year, including the continuation of the Twilight Concert Series.
“I am honoured to offer this gift to assist the St. Andrews Lodge Historical and Cultural Society in realizing its goal of preserving the Lodge and with it, an important slice of our social, cultural and economic history,” said Jacobson. “Our history is what we are today. The Little family had a huge impact in shaping it, on many levels.”
“The Lodge sits in a spectacular seaside park named Saahtlam,” Jacobson continued, “meaning ‘green at the mouth of the river.’ The name was recently gifted from Chief Michael Recalma and the Qualicum First Nation. So, we have a special combination of ‘settler history’ on land inhabited by and important to indigenous peoples over many centuries.
“This is a wonderful community-driven opportunity to bring the vision to life, for the enjoyment and benefit of residents and visitors alike. I strongly encourage others to get involved in whatever way they can to help the Society achieve its goals.”
The Society has been very fortunate to receive a number of personal donations since its recognition by the Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charitable society that is able to issue tax receipts. Other fund-raising plans include applications for a variety of grants and a number of special events in the coming year, including the continuation of the Twilight Concert Series.
St. Andrews Society off to a running start
The St. Andrews Lodge Historical and Cultural Society is off to a running start in its fund-raising campaign to restore and preserve the iconic Lodge.
This week the Society was presented with two cheques for $5,000 each, bringing the total amount donated and pledged since gaining charitable status on Aug. 1 to more than $40,000. This amount is in addition to the Society’s various fund-raising activities.
The $5,000 donations came from Marilyn Johnson in memory of her late husband Alan John, and from the ELM Family Charitable Fund, represented by Liz and Christopher Jacobson.
“We are so gratified at the support and enthusiasm for this project” said Society president Jay Smith. “Being able to issue tax receipts has opened up many doors for the Society. We look forward to moving ahead with our fund-raising campaign and upholding our commitment to the citizens of Qualicum Beach that the Lodge restoration will not cost them anything. The Society’s board is willing and able to raise the funds required to restore the Lodge and we are not requesting funding from the taxpayers.”
Further information on the campaign can be obtained by contacting the Society at: standrewslodgeqb@gmail.com
This week the Society was presented with two cheques for $5,000 each, bringing the total amount donated and pledged since gaining charitable status on Aug. 1 to more than $40,000. This amount is in addition to the Society’s various fund-raising activities.
The $5,000 donations came from Marilyn Johnson in memory of her late husband Alan John, and from the ELM Family Charitable Fund, represented by Liz and Christopher Jacobson.
“We are so gratified at the support and enthusiasm for this project” said Society president Jay Smith. “Being able to issue tax receipts has opened up many doors for the Society. We look forward to moving ahead with our fund-raising campaign and upholding our commitment to the citizens of Qualicum Beach that the Lodge restoration will not cost them anything. The Society’s board is willing and able to raise the funds required to restore the Lodge and we are not requesting funding from the taxpayers.”
Further information on the campaign can be obtained by contacting the Society at: standrewslodgeqb@gmail.com
From left to right: Christopher Jacobson and Liz Jacobson, representing the ELM Family Charitable Fund, Society President Jay Smith and Marilyn Johnson
Public Statement
With the granting of charitable status by the Canada Revenue Agency permitting the issuing of tax receipts for donations, the St. Andrews Lodge Historical and Cultural Society will be moving ahead on major fund-raising plans in the coming months. This will fulfil the Society’s promise to the citizens of Qualicum Beach that the preservation and restoration of the Lodge will not become a financial burden to the Town and its tax-paying citizens. Present economic conditions, inflation and increased municipal taxes are a matter of great concern to everyone and the Society feels very strongly that the financial burden of supporting the lodge restoration should not fall upon the homeowners of the town.
The Society was asked by the Town to provide an estimate for installing public toilets for the park in the Lodge building. That estimate came in at $176,683 as per our fully-costed report to Council, not the $300,000 quoted by Councillor Harrison. The installation of the public washrooms would be the sole financial responsibility of the Town if Council decides to go ahead with the project.
At no point has the Society requested financial assistance from the Town and it has been made abundantly clear in a letter to Councillors that we do not want and are not requesting financial assistance. We are confident in the strength and initiative of our board and volunteers and are fully willing to take on all fund-raising required for this project.
To reiterate, the Society did not ask for any funds from the Town of Qualicum Beach.
The Society was asked by the Town to provide an estimate for installing public toilets for the park in the Lodge building. That estimate came in at $176,683 as per our fully-costed report to Council, not the $300,000 quoted by Councillor Harrison. The installation of the public washrooms would be the sole financial responsibility of the Town if Council decides to go ahead with the project.
At no point has the Society requested financial assistance from the Town and it has been made abundantly clear in a letter to Councillors that we do not want and are not requesting financial assistance. We are confident in the strength and initiative of our board and volunteers and are fully willing to take on all fund-raising required for this project.
To reiterate, the Society did not ask for any funds from the Town of Qualicum Beach.
Report to Council
On June 29, 2022 we presented a report to council at an in camera meeting. The report was a requirement for the renewal of our lease for the Lodge. We also filed a full engineering report on seismic upgrades, a fully costed assessment of required restoration to facilitate future public use, and a proposal for the inclusion of external, disability accessible toilets which the Town will pay for and operate.
Click the button below to view the report.