March 29, 2007 – Nanaimo, BC – While the official opening is scheduled for May, The Salvation Army’s New Hope Centre in Nanaimo will be running its day drop-in centre by April.

Salvation Army Maj. Martin McCarter said that the building will open in stages once staff finish their training, commences next week.
Starting with the drop-in centre in April, overnight beds will be ready in May.

McCarter was speaking at Monday night’s council meeting where he signed a good neighbour agreement with the city, RCMP and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

The agreement lays out the basis for the relationship between the New Hope Centre and the surrounding community. “This is a wonderful, unique and special day for us,” McCarter said. “We look forward to working together so as a community we can help those in need.”
The Vancouver Island Health Authority will be running a number of programs from the building, including what is now the Living Room on Nicol Street.