Perhaps the most inclusive and welcoming agency in B.C. is transforming an exclusive penthouse club into a public forum.
Community Living Society is ripping down walls, tearing down panels and taking up flooring as they begin renovating the former digs of the Westminster Club on Columbia Street.
And that has its executive director, Ross Chilton, feeling on top of the world.
"It's a beautiful building - the views of the river are stunning," said Chilton.
So is Community Living Society's vision for the 7,400-square-foot premises on the top floor of the seven-story Westminster Building.
Chilton said his organization plans to open the doors of what was once the exclusive preserve of one of the most exclusive old boy's clubs in Canada to the public.
"The coolest part is the design - it incorporates meeting space that we will make available at low or no cost to other community organizations," he said.
"There's not a lot of meeting space that's free or almost free in the city."
Chilton said the two meeting rooms - one a 24-seat space, the other seating 12 - will be available for free or minimal cost when the Community Living Society is not using it.
"We don't need it all the time, so it just makes sense to have it available to others. It's about inclusion: inviting the community into your space," Chilton said.
Almost the entire interior will be renovated and remodelled. But one room - the club's former library - will retain its authentic wood panelling and look.
The renovations will be ongoing for the next several weeks. Chilton said the organization hopes to open its door by late summer.
The property was sold to the Community Living Society in early December by court order for $1.3 million. The Westminster Club had wined and dined members and guests in the building since 1912. It ran into financial trouble as membership dwindled and debts mounted. The Community Living Society was the only bidder for the property.
The irony of having an open-door organization take over from a closed-door club is not lost on Chilton. "We're not an exclusive club - we're an inclusive organization. We want to be a part of the community."
