Abbeyfield Garden In October, 1986, an article which appeared in the Victoria Times-Colonist, describing a facility that was to be built in Sidney, was read with interest by several of the people who later became active in the movement in Port Alberni.  This was the first Abbeyfield House in Canada.  In October 1987, a delegation from Port Alberni visited the Sidney home.  A second delegation visited again three years later.   In 1988 Grandma Irene Manton began the Alberni Valley Grandparents Association, lobbying to get more supported senior’s housing.  The Society disbanded in 1992, after Irene died.    In 1995 the Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society was incorporated as a BC Society (Number S-33326), and in 1999 was designated a Canadian Charitable Organization (Number 86985-4372-RR0001).  This Society was active in the development of a Community Health Council and in promoting government approval of a new hospital.  Life at Abbeyfield Port Alberni first principles are developed.    Former Board members include Francesca Chiste, Margaret Souther, Jean Smith, Marilyn Lowe, Cheryl Lane, Hope Porter, Dave Smith, Donna Brett, Signe Janson, Rhoda Campbell, and John Versteeg.   October 2001 October 3, the Society accepted the challenge to find out, within six days, what is would cost to renovate the old Extended Care Unit of West Coast General Hospital for use as an Abbeyfield home, and to get written confirmation that all the funds necessary for the renovations would be available.   October 9, $417,000, the anticipated required amount, had been committed, and the Port Alberni City Council resolved to not demolish the building, but to make it available to the Society.  The following motion was passed. “That subject to assurances of sufficient funding pledges to the Abbeyfield Project, and subject to the City’s not being required to incur costs beyond its administrative costs in preparing the appropriate legal agreements and documentation, Council requests the Central Vancouver Island Health Region not to include the ECU in their hospital demolition tender and that staff be authorized to prepare the required Agreements with the Health Region and the Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society to effect the salvaging of the ECU for use as an Abbeyfield Houses Project.”   October 17, the board held the first meeting on site.  Jaci Garcia, Doreen Bessette, Marlene Dietrich, and Chair Gladys Doyle formed the House Committee.  Bob Coward, Clerk of the Works, John Versteeg, Gerry Mabley and Terry Whyte formed the Renovation Committee.   Telus gave us a phone number, 724-5054, as an almost free second number on Terry Whyte’s cel phone, but would not list us in the Directory until we opened.  A helpful Telus clerk agreed to a residential listing, “Abbeyfield, P.A.”  It was in the 2002-03 Directory.   November 2001 November 7, Bob McMullan, National President of Abbeyfield Canada, Allan Snowie, National Vice-President, Camil Dufort, Chair of Abbeyfield BC, and Charles Cooper, Vice-Chair – Lower Mainland came to a lunch meeting with members of the Board and then toured our facility.   Many electric baseboard heaters were borrowed and placed in the rooms to prevent freezing of the water pipes, as the heat from the Hospital had been turned off.  The renovation committee met with Ray Hunt, Architect of InsideOut Planning & Architecture Inc. to confirm parameters.  A work bee was planned to move equipment and furniture from the former WCGH to our area.    November 21, Abbeyfield was formally presented with the Village Traveler bus from the residents of Fir Park Village, for $1.00 December 2001 The Board accepted the resignations of Francesca Chiste, Jean Smith, and Marg Souther with regret and thanks for their past involvement.  All three advised they would continue as active members.  Membership in the Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society was set at an annual fee of $5.00.  Job descriptions and application forms were designed.   December 18, Pauline Gomez of the Real Estate Foundation advised that the society was approved for a grant of $100,000.  Applications to CMHC for a $15,000 Proposal Development Loan and a $5,000 loan from the Weston Foundation were also approved. January 2002 The ‘rent’ for residents was set at a maximum of $1,040.00 per month, and flyers were distributed around the community.  The building was cleaned up ‘with an eye to the impression it will make on potential residents’.   Joan Jacobson donated many paintings, to make the building more attractive to visitors.  Individuals and organizations made a number of donations towards the cost of renovations.   The Architect, Ray Hunt, assisted in selecting Ron Blair as Electrical Consultant and Don McLaughlin Consulting as Mechanical Consultant, and plans for renovations were developed.   Closing day for bids for the demolition of the old hospital is January 31.  February 2002 Norman Heid and Mary Ellen and Bruce McManus planned the new kitchen, to be built in one half of the former dining room.  The old mammography room is designated as a pantry, after extensive renovations. It was decided to include a sprinkler system in the renovations.  Many meetings are taking place with various trades to finalize plans.   At the February 27 meeting it was reported that ‘it looks like we may well have enough firm and suitable residents’ by opening date   Bob Coward continued his ‘full-time’ volunteer job of salvaging useful materials from the old hospital, the demolition of which began in March.   March 2002 We obtained a street number from the City; 3839 8th Avenue.  The Post Office created a new Postal Code for us; V9Y 8J6.   We got a real buy on the 36” professional gas stove with a large grill top and 2 elements, $1,500.  We did not realize at the time that this would lead to us having to have a fire suppressant range hood installed, at a cost of almost $10,000!  But, as our consultants said, this set-up makes “an unbelievable difference to our cooks”.   March 11, the City produced a final draft of the short-term lease, a Licence Agreement for Early Access to Former WCGH Extended Care Unit, which will enable renovations to begin.   We received a bill for $7,357.77 for the furniture and equipment salvaged from the old hospital.   March 15, the Board of Directors first accepted applications, from Jo Black, Annah Brightland, Mary Chykowski, Marie Cyr, Faith Dame, Laura Erickson, Elsie Florko, Eunice Fraser, Pete Gulstene, Rita Hutchinson and John Tippe.  Five of these did not move to Abbeyfield Port Alberni.   The renovations committee is fully engaged with the many decisions that have to be made regarding electrical contracts, sprinkler systems, boilers, duct work, heat pumps, water and sewer hookups, kitchen plans, call bell and fire alarm systems, and room renovations.   Dewar Pacific Projects has been awarded the demolition contract for the old hospital.   Contractors for Abbeyfield now include Siemens Building Technologies, Blair Engineering and Braker Electric.  Water and power have been cut off to our section of the building.   April 2002 April 2, the Annual General Meeting of the Abbeyfield Houses Alberni Valley Society was held at Echo Centre, as there is no water in our building.  A new Board of Directors was elected as follows:  Terry Whyte, President, Gerry Mabley, Vice President, Marlene Dietrich, Secretary, Lowana McLeod, Treasurer, Gladys Doyle, Chair-House Committee, Bob Coward, Clerk-of-Works, Jaci Garcia, Chair-Local Fundraising, Doreen Bessette, Pauline Rycroft, Robert Gunn, John Versteeg, and Shirley Aarts.   Most of our applications for funding were rejected, but NorskeCanada gave us $20,000.   Our final plea to the Health Authority to not charge us for the equipment we took from the old Hospital was rejected – cost $7,357.77.  The cost payable to the City for water connection at 9th Ave. is $4,895.75 and to BC Hydro for electrical hookup is $2,305.85.   The Board expressed real frustration at the very long time the Consultants were taking to get their work done, despite the promises they had made.   April 13, the Alberni Valley United Church Outreach committee sponsored a fundraising supper for Abbeyfield.  The Evergreen Savings Credit Union had held a pancake breakfast earlier.     Terry Whyte, President made a presentation to the April 12-13 meeting of the Abbeyfield BC Chapter.    Many residents of the community are donating furniture and appliances.   Joan Jacobson is donating many works of art. May, 2002   May 3, Abbeyfield got its own electrical hook-up.  The old hospital had its (and our) hydro cut because of the demolition process.   Steve Turner was hired by Art Birkelund to paint his room, the first room redecorated.  We hired Art, at $1.00/day, to be our Security Guard, at the end of the month.  He moved in just before the sale of his mobile completed on May 31.  He lived without water for some time (we stored water in a clean garbage can) and without hot water for a long time.   Linda Patterson of Pennyworth will run the first weekly Abbeyfield Project Update on Friday, May 17.   One of the four park benches saved from the old hospital, which Marlene Dietrich had just painted, was stolen.  Board member Jaci Garcia later spotted it on someone’s balcony, and the RCMP had it returned.  They are now chained to the building.   Watson’s Paint arranged for General Paints to donate enough paint to cover all the hallways and public rooms.   Joan Jacobson purchased and donated a piano.   Henry Nedergard and Bob Coward installed two flagpoles on the roof that had been salvaged from the old hospital.     Redlack’s Cabinet Works was awarded the contract for the birch kitchen cabinets.   Russ Chase of Telus arranged for completion of the telephone hookup system and Braker Electric completed the installation of the conduit for telephone and cable systems.   OWL Cabinets was contracted to make valances to cover the wall light panels in each room.   June 2002 At the end of the month work began on the renovations; sprinkler system, electrical, heating, plumbing, fire alarms, and a lot of ‘civil’ work (carpentry etc.)  This work carried on to near the end of August.   Mike Lewis of the Centre for Community Enterprise advised that they are interested in providing interim financing for our project.   McLean and Higgins was awarded the Plumbing Service (phase one) contract and completed it in 6 days.   The committee, in consultation with the architect, resolved to hire John Versteeg as construction manager.  John had resigned from the board previously to avoid conflict of interest.   Phil and Marlene Dietrich joined Bob Coward, who had been volunteering for months Residents and their families were decorating their rooms.   City Council waived the building permit fees, saving us $1,324.00.   July 2002 Dave Ronalds undertook to co-ordinate the August 10 “Painting Party”. Florence Kainz took on the cause of saving the green space between Abbeyfield and Redford Street.  City Council made it clear they were retaining the option of selling the green space for commercial development.  The Agenda of the Board’s July 16 meeting says, “July 10, Florence called to say she was not giving up and was thinking of starting a petition”.  (On December 23, 2002 City Council resolved to leave the space green.)   The Canadian Centre for Community Renewal (a local company working internationally) lent us $100,000 interim financing until we can get a mortgage (January, 2003).  The Community Futures Corporation of Alberni-Clayoquot approved a mortgage of $175,000, to be made available when a Lease with the City is signed.   Doreen and Bob Bessette worked at many renovation projects.  Phil and Marlene Dietrich have finished modifications to most of the 18 residents’ rooms, with further work necessary in the north wing.  Bob Coward is on site daily as well.  Sixteen residents have now paid their rent deposit.   Many contractors are on site, both on the main floor and in the basement, and construction dust and dirt and garbage is constantly being cleaned up. The City put 2 dumpsters on site.  Paint colours and the kitchen counter pattern have been chosen.  It was decided to install glass doors in the north corridor exit.  Shaw cable has completed the upgrading of the cable connections to each room, replacing the old loop system. August 2002 Rani Modghill, Chef, and Orlando Delano, Social Director, got ready for the opening of Abbeyfield.  The Board adopted rates for meals, refunds for absences, and later for the use of the Guest Room.   August 10 the ‘paint party’ was held, with 35 volunteers coming to paint and clean the facility.  Residents and their families joined the workers for a barbecue lunch.  Almost all of the public areas were painted, including the hallways, kitchen, resident’s kitchen, guest room, library alcoves and office.  Everyone is working hard to have the facility ready for the first residents to move in.   The first Abbeyfielders (apart from Art Birkelund) began moving in August 25.  The first meals were served August 26.  Terry Whyte occupied the guest room nights until a house-mother is hired.   August 26, Terry and Shirley Whyte hosted a dinner at Little Bavaria for the people who had been involved for months in the renovations of Abbeyfield.  Attending were John and Rita Versteeg, Phil and Marlene Dietrich, Bob and Doreen Bessette, and Bob Coward.   August 26, Jeanette Stacey was hired as Cook.   Orlando has documented the life of the Community since it’s opening.  The first social event was an invitation to attend the Fir Park Village picnic at Roger Park on August 12.  Our bus was licensed and painted for the event.  The Open House, hosted by all who live at Abbeyfield, was held September 28.  The Official Opening, with the Lieutenant Governor present (hopefully) will be in 2003.   August 25, all 18 rooms are spoken-for.  Gerty Banton #2, and Toni Nelson, #7 move in today.   August 26, Faith Dame, #9, Janet Paddon, #11, Mona Coburn, #15, and Murray and Molly Olson, #17 and #18, move to Abbeyfield.   August 28, Betty Kirschner, #6 joins the family. August 29, Betty Blais, #3 settles into her room. August 30, Jeannette Carriere, #4, Rita Hutchinson, #8, and Eunice Fraser, #13, move in. August 31, Pete Gulstene, #1, and Helen Beckerley, #14, come to Abbeyfield.    September, 2002 September 1, Annah Brightland, #12, Laura Erickson, #16 settle in to Abbeyfield. Orlando Delano begins his work as Abbeyfield Social Director.   September 2, Gladys Weyman, pianist, is the first invited entertainer to come to Abbeyfield.   September 5, Dorothy Poots, #5, comes from Salmon Arm to be the final resident to move in.   September 28, hundreds of people attend the first “Open House”.  “Fiddlin’ Strings” play at the event.     Jeanne Parker becomes Abbeyfield Port Alberni’s first “House-Mum” on September 24.  Residents begin writing weekly for the “Abbeyfield News” section of the Pennyworth newspaper.  Several residents are interested in taking on some tasks to assist others, such as mailman, writer for “3839-NEWS”, writers for Pennyworth, newsletter collators, hostess, florist, and others.   The Board was advised that a fire suppressant hood comprising of the hood, ducts, fan and auto suppression fire system must be in place by May 2003.  Tandem Securities is contracted to provide fire alarm monitoring services.  Improvements to the garden boxes are being planned.    Two groups are making Abbeyfield their “practice” home, The Haymakers Square Dancers and Timbre!, who will be provided a space in the basement to store their music filing cabinets. To show their appreciation, Timbre! donated 18 season passes to the residents.   October 2002 Harry Payne became the first short stay resident in the “Guest Room”.   Staying from Monday to Friday, he said, “What a nice place this is, and then decided to apply for a permanent residency at Abbeyfield.   Charges for the guest room were set at $20/night bed and breakfast, and $30/night for full meals.   The ‘board’ portion of resident rent will be refunded at a rate of $4.50/day if a resident is absent for more than 3 consecutive days, on receipt of the form supplied.   Cleanup, small jobs, and office renovations are still being done by Phil and Marlene Dietrich, and Bob Coward is working on the basement area cleaning and sorting spare equipment and parts, as well as general maintenance.   November, 2002 November 15, An Evening with Cebal Ruel Abbeyfield residents host a very special program, organized by Terry Whyte, to salute Cebal Ruel, local craftsman, whose work carving horses and wagons has given him a reputation that has spread beyond Port Alberni.  Surrounded by most of his children, friends, residents and the general public, Cebal’s life and work were celebrated with stories of how he began carving and examples of his craft.     November 21, Presentation of the gas fireplace An excellent program, hosted by the residents and led by Toni Nelson and Board President, Terry Whyte, was held this evening for the presentation of the gas fireplace.  Hugh Grist, President of the Alberni Valley Community Foundation, Tim Johnson from Alberni Refrigeration, and Joe Eckland, stonemason, who, with his father “crushed” the rock that was used to build the fireplace over 30 years ago, were the speakers at this event.The highlight of the evening was the presence of Camil Dufort, President of the Abbeyfield BC Chapter, and Robert (Bob) McMullen, President of Abbeyfield Canada.  Both met with the residents and Board members, mingled with the visitors, and spoke at the event. Mr. McMullen was presented with a certificate by Terry Whyte.  Later in the evening, while the “Fiddlin’ Strings” played, both men met with the residents, staff and two Board members, Terry Whyte and Bob Coward, and heard from the residents about their life in Abbeyfield.  The residents spoke about the food, the activities, and their roles in their home.  Mr. Dufort and Mr. McMullen told residents they were very impressed with Abbeyfield Port Alberni.  Among some of the ‘records’ made is that we are the largest home anywhere, setting a new standard, and the only one so far to open with full capacity.    November 16, Municipal Election Day, and one of the campaign issues presented as their platform by most of the candidates for Mayor and Council was the ‘green space’ of Abbeyfield, or the so-called ‘rezoning’.  Everybody elected ‘promised’ to fight to keep the green space in front of Abbeyfield on Redford Street.   November 24, Molly Olson passed away at the West Coast General Hospital.  The family is invited to a gathering with the residents.   November 30, Jeanne Parker, first ‘House-mum’, found a job nearer her home in Ucluelet.  A gathering takes place and a certificate of appreciation is presented to her, as well as flowers and cards.   The Board advises that all consultants and hold-back accounts have been paid.  The mall fundraising event raised over $200 in the raffle and cook book sales for the residents.   December, 2002 December 2, the residents met at a social gathering with the members of the Board of Directors.  “Cola de mono’, a Chilean Christmas drink, was served.   Maggie Paquet became the second ‘House-mum’ of Abbeyfield.   Terry Whyte, President of the Board of Directors and founder of Abbeyfield Port Alberni, was chosen as the “Port Alberni Citizen of the Year 2002”.   December 6, Abbeyfield connected to the world through Shaw Cable Internet Service, with the email address of abbeyhome@shaw.ca   December 19, the completed system for the stove hood was tested by the Fire Inspector and declared fully operational.  It will now be possible for the chef to use the large grill.   December 24, the City Council met at a special session regarding the inclusion of the green space fronting Redford Street in the lease, which means that our area will be from ten feet from the end of north wing south to Redford Street.  The lease from the City is ready for signing.  Lot 176 is outlined as 0.75ha.   Many programs were presented during the Christmas season, as reported by Orlando Delano, the Social Director.     January 2003   January 2,  Audry Moore becomes a resident of Abbeyfield room #18.   January 6, Terry Whyte is nominated for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his significant service to his fellow citizens in this community.  The nomination was submitted by the Abbeyfield Houses Society of Canada.    January 17, Abbeyfield is featured in the Pennyworth’s ‘the Positive Side of Port Alberni’, with interviews with the residents and a large picture.   January 18, Faith Dame loaned over 20 videos for a regular movie session, which we entitled ‘Faith’s An Evening at the Movies’.   January 25,  “The best show in town.”  The residents, led by Toni Nelson, hostess, organized the first annual ‘Robbie Burns Day’ program.  The entertainment included the ‘Winkle Pickers’, Sandie Patton, piper, Renee Patton, “Ceilidh dancer, and Bobbie Rogerson who ‘addressed the haggis’.   January 27, an application for the use of Elkhaven Lodge on Denman Island by Abbeyfield was mailed today.  We are all waiting anxiously for the response.   January 28, Toni Nelson, Abbeyfield hostess, was among eleven speakers at the 22nd Fir Park Village anniversary.  Six residents joined her at this special celebration.  Over 120 people attended the event.   February 2003 February 5, good news.  For the first time we will be going for a three day trip to Elkhaven Lodge on Denman Island in July.  Our residents application was accepted by the Elks association in Surrey.   February 10, Art Birkelund, the first resident of Abbeyfield (June 1, 2002) moved to Tsawaayuus (Rainbow Gardens).   February 18, Abbeyfield received mortgage funds which allowed us to pay all our debts.  The legal documents were prepared by Notary Public Dorothy Clarkstone, who later donated her work and expenses.   February 22, Abbeyfield residents and several invited guests were treated to a ‘Punjabi Dinner” made possible by our Chef, Rani Modghill.  A display of typical items and a video on India were part of the special evening.  Dorothy Clarkstone, Notary, joined us as a special guest.   March 2003 March 6, Terry Whyte announced that Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnola has accepted the invitation to attend Abbeyfield’s Official Opening celebration on September 2, 2003.   March 12, the Residents decided to form a Society.  This big decision was taken at the ‘Abbeynews’ session held today.   March 17, Dorothy Buse comes for a stay in the guest room.   March 19, Pete Gusltene, one of the first residents of Abbeyfield, passes away in Victoria Hospital.  Pete was a craftman.  His display of carvings was admired by residents and visitors.   March 20, an entertaining game is made and donated by Ron Rutter of the Gyro Club.  Called “Sjubak”, the Dutch term for shuffleboard.  Many residents enthusiastically enjoy practicing to improve their skills.   March 21, the beginning of spring and the beginning of a new ‘era’ at Abbeyfield.  Thanks to Marlene Dietrich and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, we have a new computer, a new printer, and a new scanner.   March 28, Helen Beckerley, a first resident, writer, and editor of “3839 News” newsletter, passes away in Victoria.   March 31, a historic event took place today in the Abbeyfield living room.  The residents gathered to form the “Abbeyfield Port Alberni Resident’s Society”.  The following residents were elected to the Executive: Toni Nelson-President, Betty Blais-Vice President, Annah Brightland-Secretary, Rita Hutchinson-Treasurer.                  April 2003 April 4, Abbeyfield officially launched its web page into the world. April 12, Terry Whyte is appointed to serve as a Director of the Abbeyfield Houses Society of Canada.                Terry Whyte at the opening of Abbeyfield