Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) is reaching out to the community to help fundraise after receiving a $500,000 construction loan for its new operations centre, which is currently under construction.
ASAR originally planned to complete the facility in two phases, but decided to build the centre in one phase to reduce overall operating costs and allow an earlier move-in date, according to Kerry Randle, spokesperson for ASAR.
Costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to a general rise in the cost of building materials resulted in a project shortfall of about $500,000, Randle said. ASAR was approved for a construction loan from the Coastal Community Credit Union.
“Although ASAR is able to pay the annual debt financing costs, it is reaching out to the community to fund-raise and lower this amount,” reads a release from the organization.
ASAR said it has received about $100,000 in donations from residents and businesses in the past six months. The new centre, located at the Qualicum Beach airport, is in the final months of construction, according to Randle. Anyone interested in donating to the operations centre building fund can visit ASAR’s website.
