At the beginning of 2007 Eshin noted that the sangha is growing and larger facilities are needed. A project group was formed and started looking but it didn't seem possible with Vancouver's prices. Then in early July we heard of a property that was 50% bigger on a lot that is 50% bigger. It is very solidly built but not kept up and we could just afford it. Well, the centre took possession on Saturday August 25.
This is exciting news for the centre. A much larger zendo, more rooms and two more toilets will absorb the growth as our numbers increase. There will be three rooms for residential Zen students, giving the opportunity to practice frequently and to have close contact with Eshin. Larger one day sits and possibly small sesshins can be held there in the future.
The address is 5505 Sherbrooke Street. That's three blocks west of Knight Sreet at 39th Avenue. Eshin and others are very involved in the purchase and also the renovations that are immediately needed. This page and email announcements will keep the sangha informed. The pictures on the adjacent pages show the work done by the sangha.
The centre needs lots of help to make the renovations work efficiently while saving costs as much as possible. Please look at the schedule below and consider donating time, funds, and/or muscle.
Move:
The move takes place Saturday August 25. Packing at the present place occurs in the morning with unpacking at the new from noon. We have until noon on Sunday August 26 to empty and clean our present place. done
First week:
The chimney is removed. This will give a lot more room inside. It will help very, very much if we can do all of it. It will save a lot of money. Can you help in the days after the move? Hammers provided !! done
Fence
Front, side and rear fences installed. done
Reno 1
We get the roof redone by a contractor. done
Work starts on a three bedroom suite on the first floor and the abbot's apartment on the second floor. done
Zendo painted. A two toilet bathroom and a changing room are added to the zendo area. done
Reno 2
Slowly the guest room, general room, kitchen, office and interview room are renovated. This will be done as much as possible by the sangha over a year or two.
Reno 3
The zendo is enlarged.
Reno 2 and 3 will have their own photo galleries in the year they are done.
Contributors to the new centre:-
First gratitude is expressed for Joseph Muley the original owner and builder of the property; Carole for finding and arranging the sale; Soshin for designing plans for the ZC layout; and Ian for arranging the mortgage with Vancity.
Glenda for a donation enabling the centre to get a vehicle.
Anonymous donation for a new gas boiler and hot water tank
Jonathan for taking a week off work to professionally paint the centre.
The sangha members that spontaneously made financial donations and the many people that have spent time and energy helping. These include the centre's residents who worked daily, Jon who took a week off work for the chimney, Tony who came from the Yalakom, Dale for adjusting and hanging doors, Brad for drywalling, and Brent who installed ethernet cabling.
