The Epicentre is a youth and family cooperative located on Pender Island, B.C. We've been operating as a family space since 1999. Before this, the space was a registered daycare facility, and before that, it was home to the Pender Island Library. 


We currently have 49 member families!


​We are located at the Aucterlonie Centre on Bedwell Harbour Road next to the Nu-To-Yu on North Pender Island

CURRENT EPICENTRE SITUATION
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Thank you to our member families who have been very patient through the process of closing the Epicentre.

 We have kept the Epicentre closed since late-March when our spring break programs wrapped up.  Currently, we are working on presenting some summertime programming. We need to figure out how to safely allow gatherings of children following Dr. Bonnie Henry's guidelines before we can let that happen though. We will let you know as soon as we've figured it out – so members! watch your emails and we will also update our website and the Epicentre Facebook page with the summer program information. 

​ The Epicentre is currently closed, but the playground is open!

Please adhere to the following guidelines while using the playground.

+ Please do not come if you have signs or symptoms of illness.
+ Use at own your discretion.
+ Always wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, before and after using any playground facilities.
+ Bringing your own equipment (balls, bikes) is encouraged.
+ Please respect and maintain physical distancing between yourself and other playground users except for those in your household bubble.
+ The Epicentre building is closed, so there are no bathroom facilities.

There are reminder signs posted around the playground and we do realize that many of our playground users do not read yet, so as adults and caregivers, please guide your kids through the importance of these guidelines. We believe that, together, we can beat this.

PLAYGROUND RENOVATION UPDATE

One artist's conception for the new playground. 
A work party from the early 1980s. 
The 1st phase of the Epicentre Playground has been coming along nicely. We often see kids using the playhouse, riding trikes on the court surface, kids and adults shooting hoops, kids playing in the sand box and parents resting at the picnic tables under the gazebo. Everyone seems very happy with the transformation so far!

We'd like to give a big wide-armed thank you hug to the Pender Community for
contributing to our fundraisers and supporting us in our endeavours.
What's left to do?
Due to insurance policy requirements, recently we have had to take down the popular slack line and ninja line we had up between the trees. Our plans for a DIY low ropes course have also been limited by the insurance requirements. The insurance providers have let us know that the playground equipment must be CSA approved and installed by a certified individual. As you can imagine this has increased the cost of what we had in mind for the 2nd Phase of the playground.

​We have some money left from the fundraising campaign and some other possible sources of funds and grants to apply for. We met with a Victoria-based playground company and they have provided us with some playground options. These cost between $20,000 and $50,000 for the equipment, required prefab wood mulch for under the equipment and extending 6 feet in all directions and installation. So, with a positive attitude we are back in the fundraising phase of the project. When we have settled on a design we will let everyone know. Thank-you so much for all your patience, kindness and donations.

If you have expertise or would like to provide help with anything around the Epicentre, we welcome your contributions! ​

We thank the following contributors and donors

The Nu-to-Yu 
Home Hardware
Pender Island Farmer's Institute
The Capital Regional District
Slow Coast Cafe
Pender Island Recreation and Hall Association
Pender Island Pharmacy
Braedon's Big Dig'em
Tru-Valu Foods
Port Browning Marina
Philly's Diner at Hope Bay
Shane Greenall
Sandor Csepregi
Keith Light
Joanne and Stan Enns
Audrey and Dave Greene
Tim Frick
George and Kelly of Ravenrock Farm
Brent Marsden
Paul Hamson
Steve Fiskar
Paul Stephenson
Eric Pohl
“Pirate” Pierre
Jordan Robertson
Justin Healey
Aaron Grimmer
Michael Miles
Isaac Grimmer
Denny Goertz
Owen Goertz
Tavis Mawhinney
Laurie Storrie
Stephanie Kasting
Sonya Chagas
​
All the playgroup and Epicentre families who came before and worked tirelessly to keep this amazing resource for the children and families of Pender Island. 
​

....and the wonderful community of Pender Island for supporting our fundraising generously over the years. 
THANK YOU!
Donate to the Epicentre each time you shop! 1% of your purchase will benefit a local charity.
We're #6 on the Spirit Board.