At its June board meeting, Comox Archives and Museum board presented an interpretive storyboard to Mike Corkish, president of the d鈥橢sterre House Seniors鈥� Centre Association.
The members of d鈥橢sterre House Seniors鈥� Centre are very proud of their heritage and curious to know about the elusive man, affectionately known as Dusty d鈥橢sterre.
Dusty d鈥橢sterre, who died in the early 1970s, left two-fifths of his valuable Comox waterfront property to the Town with the other three-fifths going to two friends. Difficult to subdivide, the Town negotiated the purchase of the balance of the property. The old frame house was demolished, however the other building, known as Dusty鈥檚 Den, remains to this day and the upstairs is the present day Comox council chambers.
In 1974, a delegation of senior citizens visited the mayor, Dick Merrick. They pointed out that there were very limited recreational facilities for seniors. Some senior programs were introduced at the 鈥榥ew鈥� Comox Centennial Recreation Centre on Noel Avenue; however, seniors rapidly realized they needed a place of their own. In 1975, Comox council agreed to build a new seniors鈥� centre on the d鈥橢sterre legacy property. The seniors were required to raise $60,000 in non-interest debentures. Many of the seniors invested in the project and with perseverance and persuasion, succeeded in raising their $60,000. The newly formed Comox Rotarians donated $15,000 and agreed to act as contractors for the project. The Town committed $60,000 and received a provincial government grant for $55,775 and the vision became a reality.
Lieutenant-Governor, Walter Owen, officially opened d鈥橢sterre Seniors鈥� Centre on June 25, 1975. Dusty d鈥橢sterre鈥檚 benevolence to the Town and the dedication and hard work of the Town鈥檚 senior citizens has given us a seniors鈥� centre of exceptional facilities and a world class view.
The Comox Archives and Museum, located at 1729 Comox Avenue, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free admission.
