Community attacks Market clean-up

With a few e-mails and word of mouth, organizers of the Gibsons Public Market project rounded up a team of more than 50 volunteers to give the former Yacht Club building and grounds a wash and brush-up last weekend.

“We got here at a quarter to nine,” said School Trustee Silas White, in attendance with partner, children, and in-laws. “We thought we’d be early, but the parking lot was full and it looked like half the work was already done.”

Gibsons Mayor Wayne Rowe demonstrated ownership of the project, donning work gloves to haul trash and clear debris outdoors beneath sunny skies, while teams from various construction companies repaired chairs, power-washed the exterior, and cut back the overgrown gardens. A team of heroes attacked the long-neglected kitchen, even scrubbing floors on their hands and knees.

The need to bring the premises up to snuff is urgent – bookings are already rolling in according to organizer Gerry Zipursky. “We’ve had a dozen requests for rentals, and one wedding already booked. Persephone’s will be holding their first Family Movie Night here in February.” After a team of painters moves in to freshen the interior, Zipursky will move into an upstairs office and begin the serious business of bringing the Market onstream, on target and on budget.

Heather Jeal