2008/09 Metchosin Community House
Expansion Project

Background Information

The Metchosin Community House (the House) (formerly a small private home) is operated by the Metchosin Community Association (MCA). The MCA organizes and provides this venue for a variety of educational, recreational, cultural and community events within our small, rural community. The House has been rented for a nominal fee from the District of Metchosin since 1998. As of 2006 the House was being used by many different groups and has become a hub of information, activity, and community-building programs. 

With all these activities, the main room of the House was often bursting at the seams, particularly when the Vancouver Island Health Authority hosts their twice-weekly Seniors' Day Program. The proposed solution was to push out the long wall of the main room ten feet, at the same time enclosing the back porch, attaching a ten foot, covered side deck at the same time keeping wheelchair accessibility. After severe storms in 2006-2007 the House was identified as a “Comfort Centre” under our community's Emergency Preparedness Plan and thus further requirements included an enlarged bathroom to accommodate a shower stall as well as an on-demand gas hot water heater.

The Expansion Project

The project was launched in 2008 with the demolition of parts of the house and the building of new and expanded foundations, walls and roof.  Contractors along with teams of community volunteers along with donated labour, materials and equipment worked tirelessly through the summer, fall and winter and in the spring of 2009 the new House was opened.

The Metchosin Community House expansion is dedicated to the memory of one of the Metchosin Community Association's founders, the late David Wolsk, who's dream of a inviting 'home' for citizens of Metchosin to meet and share their love of our community has now been realized.

The new House has proven to be a big hit with everyone who has visited.  The warm decor and inviting spaces have already been used for weddings, parties, meetings and social events.  The House also welcomed back the Vancouver Island Health Authority's Adult Day Program, the Parents and Tots group plus many other programs.  Anyone interested in using the house for functions can check out our rental information page.

There's an old saying, "It's a warm feeling seeing your dreams become reality."  This is how all the people involved in the expansion project feel along with their pride of seeing our community come together to make it a better place for all.