The former headquarters of the Savages Motorcycle Club is currently under renovation. (Ben Fenlon/Goldstream Gazette)
Timber will hold up the walls, but it's community support that's truly laying the groundwork for Langford's new mental health and addictions wellness centre for tradespeople.
Purchased earlier this year by the Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC), the former headquarters of the Savages Motorcycle Club, located at 2775 Spencer Rd., is undergoing renovations to begin its new life as The Forge.
The centre will offer free counselling, recovery coaching, peer mentorship and employment support designed specifically for those working in construction and related trades.
In just eight weeks, more than $250,000 has been raised in cash and in-kind donations towards The Forge's $500,000 goal. Money that will help complete the upgrades needed to transform the building into a welcoming, peer-driven gathering space for trades workers across Vancouver Island.
"We are halfway to opening the doors of a facility that will change - and save - lives," said Mike Manhas, director of philanthropy with CFBC, speaking to a crowd gathered outside the building Nov. 13, for an event to mark the project's progress.
Fundraising was kick-started by the City of Langford and the West Shore Developers Association, which each donated $5,000. Following an appeal by Mayor Scott Goodmanson, other Greater Victoria municipalities have followed suit, with Sooke, Oak Bay, North Saanich, View Royal and Colwood answering the call for help.
"And I can tell you I will be talking to the mayors of all the other seven (municipalities) repeatedly until we get some commitment," said Goodmanson.
"Your support, and their support sends a powerful message that the well-being of tradespeople is a shared priority across the region."
Donations have also poured in from private individuals, industry partners, local businesses, West Shore RCMP and community groups such as Golf for Kids, the Victoria Royals and the West Shore Charity Golf Tournament.
"Every contribution, every show of support, brings us one step closer to opening The Forge," said Manhas. "Together, we're proving that from the ashes of a painful past, something powerful and healing can rise.
"Together we're building hope, connection and recovery. Together we are building The Forge."
While the event celebrated the donations that have pushed The Forge halfway to its goal, CFBC's director of community programs Jenny Nadeau, reminded folks that money and materials can only take the project so far - the rest comes from love.
"We do need places to come and learn, to connect and feel accepted and have a sense of belonging, but also be loved and learn how to love people well - and that's recovery," said Nadeau.
She added that while love is often seen as soft and gentle, it can also be fiercely protective.
"Love will pull you out of a giant hole that you haven't been able to get out of for years," she said. "Love shows up for you at two in the morning and it's pouring rain, and they chuck you in a car and they get you safe.
"Love has a tenacity and for a person experiencing addiction, sometimes that's what we need."
The Forge was created in response to the skilled trades' mental health and addictions crisis. Developed with input from tradespeople who have lived experience.
Among them is electrician Spencer Marley, who is now also a peer support worker, sharing his lived experience with others who are struggling.
For Marley, change only began after he had "hit rock bottom."
"I didn't know there were any outlets or resources for me," he said. "I didn't think there was any help."
He hopes The Forge can help break the stigma surrounding mental health and addictions in the trades, letting folks know that "it's OK to not be OK" - and catching them before they fall.
"Maybe if there was something like The Forge, I could have started the recovery journey sooner and maybe it not be as painful as it was," says Marley.
"I always felt like I had to keep it hidden ... that I had to do it alone - I suffered in silence.
"Hopefully this is the start of some real change."
Donations can be made through the CFBC at: cfbc.ca/enter-the-forge. All funds go directly toward infrastructure and readiness costs.