The former SJ Willis School continues its reign as temporary home with the Garth Homer Society moving in this spring.
“We have been searching for a relocation space for a long time,” CEO Geoffrey Ewert said in a community update. “Many people told us it would be impossible to find a suitable space, and we’re so grateful for a strong relationship with School District 61.”
The Victoria site off Topaz Avenue in Victoria has served every level of education as students took classes there for myriad school upgrades across the Greater Victoria district over the last decade. The school includes a larger overall space and access to a full-size gymnasium and commercial kitchen.
“SJ Willis is a great fit for our needs because it is not situated on a busy road and the location is close to the current GHS Centre, which mitigates any potential negative impact on transportation for clients,” Ewert said.
The society moves there this spring from its home of nearly five decades on Darwin Avenue in Saanich.
That building, where Garth Homer supports people with developmental and other disabilities, first opened on May 15, 1977. Now programming shifts as the society embarks on building the Garth Homer Centre for Belonging – scheduled to be completed by 2030.
The new centre aims to “exponentially amplify” contributions to the community through much-needed integrated housing, program and activity spaces, including a great hall for events, celebrations and performances.
Ewert says the move will be gradual and well planned for the 97 clients who are relocating, a process that started late last year.
