A former Hells Angels-connected clubhouse in Langford will soon be revamped to house mental health and addictions services.
The notorious building at 2775 Spencer Rd. is best known for being the Savages Motorcycle clubhouse. Before that, it donned the number 41 above the front door, code for the Devils Army biker gang.
Police have said both were support clubs for the Hells Angels.
Last year the building went up for sale for $1.5 million, billed as a “prime opportunity” for savvy investors and business owners.
“I saw the building up for sale, I know the history of the building, and we put a bid in and were successful,” Abigail Fulton, Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC) executive director, said.
CFBC purchased the building in order to start a mental health and addictions centre, called The Forge, for people in the trades.
The property is shown below, with the logo in the first image, and its current appearance below.
Fulton says the construction industry has seen an increase in workers suffering and needing help.
“About 53 individuals will die by suicide out of every 100,000 workers, which is dramatically higher than other sectors,” she said.
“Eighty-five per cent of trades people have reported that they are struggling with some level of mental health challenge, and you will see that the substance use issues are considered to be double in the trades than other sectors.”
The Forge will provide counselling, recovery coaching and rapid access to treatment for trades people who need it.
It will also provide spaces for community organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to hold meetings.
Rewired Recovery Foundation will also be working out of the building providing supports for those in recovery.
“The Forge is going to give people a chance to be themselves. To learn how to become who they are and who they’re meant to be,” Mike Manhas, Rewired Recovery Foundation executive director, said.
CFBC plans to fully renovate and update the building to make it more welcoming.
“We’re tearing it right back to the bones to create a safe space that is built with an energy, an aesthetic and an intention that’s meant to connect directly with those workers that are in the trenches every day building our communities,” Trevor Botkin, CFBC, said.
To pay for the renovations, the foundation will be launching a capital fundraising campaign, with the goal of raising $500,000 over the next year.
“It takes a whole community to heal and we’re not going to be able to do that without our neighbours,” Manhas said.
The campaign will kick off on July 31 with a barbeque and groundbreaking ceremony at the site.
CFBC says this will give the community a chance to learn more about The Forge and reclaim the former clubhouse as a positive community space.
“Now we get to change that script to help some of the people who may have been here, and have found a path they have struggled down, now can come back here and find a path of hope and to be able to turn their lives around,” Manhas said.
“What a beautiful story.”
Shared from: Chek News
