Nanaimo Will Have New Landmark
Clock At Hope BC Was The Inspiration
Odd Fellows Donate Clock as a Waterfront Landmark
McGregor Park located just across the street from the Port Theatre, will soon be the site of a new clock. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Black Diamond Lodge #5 has donated a historic clock to the City of Nanaimo. The donation and installation has a value of about $50,000. The Odd Fellows offered the donation to the City of Nanaimo in the spring of 2012. Four locations were considered with McGregor Park being the ultimate location decided upon by the Parks Recreation and Culture Commission. The clock is intended to be a landmark and congregation area in the downtown. Knappett Industries will be installing the clock in late October or early November..
McGregor Park offers an excellent vista of the harbour and will show off the four sides of the clock. In addition, this location has become a gathering place for Conference Centre users, Port Theatre patrons as well as cruise ship passengers. The location also has vehicular traffic in both directions on Front Street as well as being located along the popular Harbour Front Walkway.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Black Diamond Lodge #5 has been a fixture in Nanaimo for over 100 years. The group is dwindling in numbers and is keen to donate some money toward legacy projects in the community.
Inspired by a historic clock in Hope, members approached the City to install a similar landmark in Nanaimo’s downtown. The clock will recognize the group with a plaque and be a walking destination for people in Nanaimo to enjoy.
Kudos and a hearty thank you to the Odd Fellows for such a generous and long lasting gift to the community.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a landmark downtown for decades to come.
Yes, hats off to the Odd Fellows Lodge for such a thoughtful and expensive gift to the current and future people of Nanaimo. Folks like them are a dying breed.
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