Water damage at Sunnybrae Community Hall will be addressed, thanks to a $6,896 grant in aid from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
Sunnybrae Community Association president Sharda Murray-Kieken says the damage is in the corner of the kitchen, which is located in the old part of the hall that was built in the 1950s.
The damage is underneath the floor, which will require some demolition in order to reach and complete structural repairs.
“A commercial dishwasher, which we think might be the problem, will have to come out,” says Murray-Kieken.
“We will have to take out one run of cupboards, the sink and taps, which are pretty old, and we’ll have the dishwasher serviced.”
Murray-Kieken says membership in the association has grown to about 75, many of whom are committed to the hall and the community.
“We still have Chris Clark on the board and he was here when the addition was built in the 1970s,” she says. “He’s an indication of how committed people are to this hall; he just keeps working and working for it and so does his wife Joan. They are lovely people.”
As well as being grateful for committed association members, Murray-Kieken has high praise for Joanie Robertson and Robbie Milne, who hold their regular coffeehouses in the hall.
Robertson started the coffeehouses at Sunnybrae with her partner, the late Gord Milne, a popular musician who died five years ago, she notes.
“The coffeehouse is a major donor and they support and help us with the fundraising,” says Murray-Kieken, who is serving her second term as president. “They pay good rent and they have been a major supporter of the association for more than two decades.”
The Sunnybrae Community Association holds four big events a year to raise funds for the hall – a cabaret, plant and book sale, Halloween fireworks in partnership with the Tappen-Sunnybrae Fire Department and, new this year, a Family Day on Aug. 8 that will feature, games, a barbecue and live entertainment.
“The cabaret was a huge success and we raised over $5,000 last year, which, for a little place like us, is really great,” she said, noting the association needs $30,000 to install a permanent roof over the outside patio area. “The Halloween fireworks have been huge, with 300 people coming out last year.”
Murray-Kieken says a weekly yoga program is a big success.
“Fifteen people are coming out and they’re just raving about it,” she says.
Next up is the Plant and Book sale on Sunday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a barbecue and live entertainment.
Donations to the sale can be dropped off at the hall at 3595 Sunnybrae Canoe Point Rd. from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 23.
The hall is popular for weddings, family reunions and more because of its amenities and the location across from Sunnybrae Park and the beach.
“We’re constantly looking for more things to do to support the community and make it the wonderful place that it is,” says Murray-Kieken.
“Living in Sunnybrae is a blessing,”
It is exactly what is means, sunny, and the community association is a wonderful group of very hardworking people.”