Lift Community Services (Lift) has announced that the building which houses its Community Resource Centre (CRC), emergency shelter and overdose prevention site (OPS) programs at 4752 and 4746 Joyce Avenue in Powell River has been sold.
According to a media release from Lift, the qathet-based organization is starting its search for new program locations.
Lift confirms that it was aware of the prospective building sale, which was finalized late last month, and has recently heard from a property manager on behalf of the new owners. Lift has been told its current lease will be honoured through March 31, 2025, and the organization has begun working with local and provincial partners to pursue new program sites for the CRC, emergency shelter and OPS in time for their lease expiration.
“We’re extremely grateful for the use of this space for the past 17 years,” stated Lift’s executive director Kim Markel. “We're dedicated to finding a new space, or spaces, to continue to offer these essential services, and invite community members and partners to let us know of any opportunities that may be available.”
The CRC opened at 4752 Joyce in 2007 after Lift’s employment services staff, along with its partners at BC Ministry of Social Development, identified the need for a free community space that the public could access during the day, to use a computer or newspaper, or get a free cup of coffee. Today the CRC is open Monday to Thursday and offers lunch, coffee, and snacks; access to computers, phone, and laundry services; a tax return clinic; legal aid services; public health nurses; on-site community integration specialists; document and application support; and more, according to the release. All services are free of charge.
The OPS joined the building in fall 2020, and the emergency shelter opened in January 2022, offering 20 beds on a first-come, first-served basis every night.
“These services are all very well used, and we know how pivotal they are to community health and well-being,” stated Markel. “We’re committed to continuing these programs in the community and will be working hard over the coming months to find appropriate space for them.”
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