She is quick to acknowledge the great work being carried out by the Ashcroft HUB Society, but Esther Darlington sees so much more potential at the former school site that she wanted to help out; which is why last week she donated $3,000 to the society.
Darlington says she was almost in tears after HUB manager Vicky Trill took her on a tour of the facility. “The energy and dedication going in from that small group is incredible,” she says. “It’s so well-organized, and to walk around and see every room being used was an upper for me.
“I’m impressed by the determination of the HUB group to maintain and develop our former elementary school. There is still so much potential in this building for enhancement of the quality of our community life.”
She sees a community project like the HUB as a legacy, and hopes that others in the community see it as a good thing to put funds into.
She says that the only request she made for the funds was that some of it be put toward acoustic tiles for the gym, to improve the sound in it.
In addition to the funds, Darlington also donated one of her paintings, an acrylic called “Skaters on Barnes Lake”. “It has a recreational theme, and I thought it would blend in.” The painting has been hung in the main office, where it can be seen by those coming in through the front doors.
“Projects like the HUB, and the Chinese cemetery, make us all shine a little brighter,” says Darlington. “It’s one hell of a community. I just hope the HUB can continue forever.”