From yoga to painting, dance and everything in between, Kelly Pound is giving creative individuals and groups a chance to connect with the community, while giving life back to a rare Comox heritage building.
In 2012, Pound took a leap of faith an purchased the St. John the Baptist Church on Comox Avenue, with the goal to restore the crumbling building and turn it into an arts and community centre.
Now known as the Little Red Church, the newly renovated facility boasts a church hall, heritage chapel and healing centre available to rent for programs, events and more.
"I want have a place in Comox for creative people to come together, and I want to make it user-friendly," explained Pound, who has an extensive background in the arts. "I'm want to keep the space affordable for workshops, individuals, or large groups."
Pound began the task of renovating the facility in July 2012, and completed the work in February.
The building was designated as a heritage building by the Town of Comox in 1986, and Pound explained it has been sitting on the property for a number of years without any work to its structure and foundation, which she added, has suffered a lot of damage.
Pound enlisted the help of local artisans and craftsmen, and transformed the hall for a place used for reiki, yoga, dance classes, parties, choir and music events.
"We painted, built the stage, recycled parts from the dropped ceiling, and even found a church bell in the roof," she explained.
The main hall can be rented for just about any use, Pound said. It's available for workshops, programs, music and parties, and can be rented in any time increment.
"The hall is approved for occupancy up to 200, it's open to catering, we have chairs and tables available. It even has a baby grand piano. It's set up to alter to what (any group) wants," she added. "It's user-friendly, with the goal to have it rented day and night, with no hour restriction."
Pound is hoping the Little Red Church can help as a stepping stone to bring people across the Comox Valley together and grow a sense of community. She noted she has had people from Nanaimo to Campbell River attend events, which in turn exposes Comox and allows people to explore the area.
"Creative people can become a unit, and the property can be a nucleus," she noted. "There can be a lot of crossover of events."
Events can be booked online through a booking calendar, and can be promoted through an online calendar. Rates for the hall start at $25/hour.
On May 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. the Little Red Church is hosting an open house along with the Little Red Church Healing Centre for viewing. It is an opportunity to view the space and the renovations.
For more information or to book the space, visit www.littleredchurchcomox.com
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