Photo: Contributed
A kind of landmark in downtown Kelowna is being demolished.
The crews are demolishing 555 Fuller Avenue, the former home of the Pathways Abilities Society.
Pathways, who still own the property, relocated its support services to 123 Franklyn Road in Rutland in 2016. The demolition marks a milestone for the company, which began its services in 1953 at Fuller Avenue.
Back then, the Sunnyvale Center, as it was then called, was the brainchild of a handful of parents, teachers, doctors, and other concerned citizens. Realizing that the educational needs of children with disabilities in the community were simply not being met, the group formed the Sunnyvale Center to fill that void.
In its freshman year, the center provided services to 13 students. Over time, as the community grew, so did the number of people cared for by the center.
In order to focus on the needs of adults with disabilities, the center separated from the services of its children in 1973 and transferred that responsibility to the Neurological Association and School District 23.
For the past several years, the Fuller Avenue building has provided community activity and support services.
“It is very sad and we are very happy that the building has been demolished,” said Charisse Daley, Executive Director of Pathways.
“The Fuller Avenue building has been such a fundamental part of our society and has provided so many services to people in our community with disabilities over the years that it’s hard to tell it’s going away, but it’s all part of us and ours Growth of the church. “
Before the demolition, the building’s youngest tenant was Pathways’ own BikeWays bike shop. The social enterprise employs people with disabilities to renovate and sell donated, carefully used bicycles. One hundred percent of the proceeds go back to supporting Pathways.
In 2017, a year after Pathways Services moved from Fuller to Rutland, BikeWays moved just blocks away to 1216 St. Paul Street.
“We just outgrew the Fuller Avenue building,” said Bonnie Fraser, Pathways Employment Manager. “With Fuller demolished on the horizon, the time was right to move to the new building in St. Paul. This allows us to grow further and expand our BikeWays company further. “
The demolition and redevelopment of the Fuller Avenue building is expected to be completed soon.
“It feels a little like we’re letting go of part of our history, but at the same time we’ve evolved so much over the years to adapt to the changing needs of our community,” said Daley. “This demolition is almost like shedding an old cocoon. It’s sad in some ways, but it’s also a source of pride that this is a milestone in the maturation of our society. “
