About Sooke Gathering Place

Sooke Gathering Place

Funds Raised So Far...

$206,489.15

Donate Money to Sooke Gathering Place Donate Securities to Sooke Gathering Place

TOGETHER WE CAN!

Our Sooke community, fundraisers and volunteers have raised an impressive amount so far! We're still a long way from our goal. Stay tuned for many other opportunities to get involved in helping us raise the $2M needed to build this important community space!

We have charitable status and can therefore issue receipts for donations over $25.00, that can be used for tax reduction purposes. Our CRA number is: 859185803 RR 0001

Cheque and Cash Donations can be made out to:

Sooke Region Communities Health Network

*NOTE: Please specify in the cheque memo that your donation is for Sooke Gathering Place.

Postal Address: PO Box 642 Sooke BC, V9Z 1H6

Email: srchn@sookeregionchn.org

Office Tel: 778-365-1878

Online Donations

Simply click on the button above to go to our Canada Helps donations page.

Thank you to the following organizations who generously support the Sooke Gathering Place.

DONOR RECOGNITION

Thank you for donating towards a Sooke Region legacy - the Sooke Gathering Place. In recognition of your donation we will do the following:

$25 - Tax Receipt
$50 - Name in the Sooke News Mirror
$ 1,000 - Photo in Paper with Big Cheque

$5,000 or more - Name on Sponsor Wall Art Installation

$5,000 - $20,000 - 6” leaf
$20,000 - $50,000 - 8” leaf
Over $50,000 - 10 “ leaf

The Importance of Sooke Gathering Place

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Why Do We Need Sooke Gathering Place?

Growing Demographic

30 per cent of Sooke’s population is more than 55 years of age, and that total is expected to double in the next 20 years.

Social Gathering

Sooke is one of the only communities without a dedicated 'seniors’ gathering centre, as the Sooke Senior Drop in Centre lost its permanent home in 2010.

Activities

The Gathering Place will provide a much-needed drop-in space for the community, space for activities, crafting, dining, games, and socializing.

The space will also incorporate a youth/intergenerational component and the facility will be rentable to the larger community for events.

Support

The District of Sooke has provided the land for the project with a 100-year lease and committed $257,000, which is earmarked strictly for The Gathering Place.

The Plan

A plan is in place with a lofty fundraising goal to build an activity centre for seniors in Sooke. The Sooke Region Community Health Network (SRCHN) needs to raise about $2 million for the project, constructed on the property next to the new Sooke library on Wadams Way.

Fundraising

We have established a fundraising committee, whose members are championing this cause. We encourage community members to initiate their own community fundraisers, and even matching donation competitions. It is only through community support that we can attain this important goal!

Future Planning for Sooke Region

Seniors Activities

Yes, we will have BINGO, but we will also host many other activities to keep our elders fit through exercise, socialized through peer interaction and informed through our resource office.

Youth Activities

SRCHN has consulted with youth and youth service providers, and they have maintained that they look forward to using the Gathering Place for their activities. SRCHN is also encouraging intergenerational activities as well, since both generations can learn so much from each other.

Space Rental

Everyone knows that Sooke lacks space for meetings, events and special celebrations. Here at the Gathering Place, you can access a food safe kitchen and lots of space for your planned happening.

Meals

We look forward to serving daily hot meals from our new kitchen, which can be purchased by anyone and not only the older crowd. Tea and coffee with snacks will be offered throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sooke Gathering Place?

This will be the long-awaited home of the Elders (seniors) Drop-in Centre. There will activities and supports that help us all remain at home as we age, intergenerational programs and space for other services providers to rent and run their own programs. The space will also be available for community members to rent for meetings, celebrations etc.
Who will run Sooke Gathering Place?

The building will be run by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network. A non-profit social co-operative with charitable status whose mission is to support healthy lives in healthy communities through innovative, collaborative development and improvement of services for everyone.
Is there anything else in the building?

The building will also be the home of the Sooke Arts Council; there will be commercial spaces for organizations that support our goal to help residents maintain independence as they age, and we will offer affordable rental for those aged 55 plus.
Will there be food?

Yes, there will be a commercial kitchen. We plan to provide daily lunches and occasional suppers. If there are enough volunteers, we would like to see suppers also offered for dine in or take out. The space could run a community kitchen, teach food prep and nutrition etc.
What other costs are there?

The predevelopment costs (architect, permits, civic work, grant applications, etc,) have been covered with money obtained from grants,
Do you have any other money?

District of Sooke - $257,000 reserve fund for seniors/youth centre

Sooke Seniors Drop In Society $100,000

Canadian Mortgage and Housing - $21,000 start up

Van City - $60,000 for business plan, fundraising and general support

Federal Green Municipal Fund – up to $136,000 in matching funds to make the building Net Zero (Energy efficient).
What will the 2 million fund?

Current construction costs are $350-$400 per square foot. The $2 million being fundraised will cover the construction costs for the 5,000 square foot Gathering Place.

If the Gathering Place was built as a stand-alone, we would need more than double the money to pay for the parking, all the architect and specialist costs, permits etc.
Does all the money come from fundraising?

SRCHN continues to apply for grants. A BCHousing application will be submitted for the housing portion.
How can I help?

Donate – tax receipts given for donations of over $25
Donate items for the auction.
Do your own fundraiser
Volunteer