A local counselling centre will be getting a much-needed facelift over the next few weeks.
The Greater Victoria Citizens' Counselling Centre is receiving more than $150,000 worth of improvements to their building on Kings Road over the next three weeks.
The renovations are part of Radical Renovations, a program through the HeroWork Program Society, a non-profit organization that helps provide physical upgrades to local charities.
“Many of us are excited to do it because of the work that [the centre] does in the community,” said Paul Latour, founder and executive director of HeroWork.
“In my mind, someone who is going through grief, trauma or distress, to go get counselling before they go down a challenging road has a huge effect that not many people see.”
He said 114 counsellors at the centre helped 1,200 people with roughly 9,000 worth of counselling.
Upgrades start on today (Friday) and continue for three consecutive weekends with some 200 community volunteers lending a hand.
“We're extremely excited. It's an amazing gift to be given,” said Brenda Wilson, executive director of the counselling centre. “Our building was old and tired and when we come back in, it's all going to be new and fresh andI think that gives a lift to our clients, volunteers and our staff.”
The renovations on the 3,000-square foot building include replacing carpeting and ceiling tiles, re-doing all four bathrooms to include one that's wheelchair accessible, installing two kitchenettes and new lighting, painting the interior and exterior, and replacing windows, handrails and office furniture, among other things.
The centre will be utilizing a space at the MS society until renovations are complete.
This is the fifth Radical Renovation that HeroWork has completed so far.