1923 – A BEGINNING…

The Kiwanis Club of Nanaimo was chartered in 1923 and began serving the Nanaimo community with a variety of projects.

1955 – RESPONDING TO A NEED…

Recognizing the need for seniors’ housing, The Kiwanis Club of Nanaimo, alongside the Soroptimist Club of Nanaimo and 14 other service organizations, formed a consortium and registered a society in British Columbia. The Nanaimo District Senior Citizens Housing Development Society (NDSCHDS) was incorporated and governs Kiwanis Village to this day.

“The object of the society is to operate as a qualified charitable institution to own and manage a low-rental housing project for senior citizens.”
– Nanaimo District Seniors’ Citizens Housing Development Society (INC. 1955)

1957 – THE COTTAGES…

With generous donations of funds, time, land, and labour, a concept rapidly became reality. With additional government funding, a six-acre parcel of land was purchased and the first building project began.

The series of nine duplex cottages was completed in 1957. At the time low income housing for seniors was a new concept, Kiwanis was already breaking new ground.
The original monthly cost was $27 for housing, with an extra $2 for water, and $14 for hydro, for a grand total of $43.

1976 – A COMMUNITY EFFORT…

When the Kiwanis Village Lodge opened it was recognized as one of the finest facilities of its kind in the province. With 102 beds, the intermediate care facility was truly shepherded by the community, for the community. The Lodge became a beloved home for many people, rich with memory and life.

1991 – A GATHERING PLACE…

Fundraising began for an Auditorium and Activity wing to enhance the existing Lodge. Once again the Nanaimo community rallied behind the project. In 1997 the Frith-Radcliffe Auditorium was completed, serving as a much loved meeting place for Village seniors and members of the wider community.

2001 – BUILDING A MANOR…

The work of The Nanaimo District Senior Citizens Housing Development Society was gaining momentum. In 2001 Kiwanis Manor, a subsidized building for low-income seniors was constructed with funding from BC Housing to address the increasing need for senior care and housing. Kiwanis Manor would eventually phase out the Cottages.

2003 – Long term CARE…

A provincial decision to no longer offer Intermediate Care led to an ambitious but essential new project – renovating the former Lodge and creating a publicly-funded complex care facility. The new Kiwanis Lodge opened with 75 private Long term care units.

2004 – TRAILBLAZERS…

The Nanaimo District Senior Citizens Housing Development Society was granted the opportunity to work with Island Health to facilitate publicly subsidized Assisted Living. In 2004 the original Lodge was completely renovated and refurbished for assisted living clients. Renamed Kiwanis House it was designed as the central hub for the village, complete with a store and publicly accessible dining room.

2008 – SOROPTIMIST SUITES…

The removal of the Cottages and four-plexes provided more opportunity and most importantly, more land. As a result, the development of new projects continued with the completion of the 45-unit Soroptimist Suites. The unique facility offering both private-pay supportive living and publicly-funded assisted living options in the same building.

2009 – A FINAL BUILD…

The Kiwanis Villa was completed in September 2009. This 31-unit, state-of-the-art building offers supportive living suites, and completes the community.