The Harewood Community Hall

April 13, 2026

Now we are really going back in time! Anyone remember the Harewood Community Hall?

This place used to be a gathering spot in our neighbourhood for many years, located on Fourth Street in a large grass lot that separates the two sides of Watfield Avenue.

The earliest references I can find to the Hall is in a 1928 British Columbia Government Gazette mentioning the "Harewood Community Hall Association", and a 1929 Daily Colonist article about prize-winners at the "Harewood Community Hall partner whist drive" playing card tournament.

Older residents of Harewood remember attending dances, community meetings, Scout meets, local elections and other events there.

The Hall eventually became home of the Nanaimo Karate Club, and many still refer to the lot as the "Karate Field".

References online mention that over the years, the Hall was also home to the Tiny Tots Preschool and a bingo hall – and was eventually purchased by School District 68 with the intention of opening Ada Janes Elementary School (named after a respected Nanaimo schoolteacher), which was never built.

A Facebook user named Pat McEachern posted the photo below of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Hall.

I found the picture at the top of this page at the Nanaimo Archives (big thanks to Danica) and it shows the building as it looked in 1986 when it housed the Nanaimo Christian School.

I also found the second picture at the Nanaimo archives, in an undated aerial photo taken by Englefield Studio (NA# 1992026A).

The community activities at the Hall were eventually moved to the Harewood Fire Hall close to the corner of Fourth Street and Bruce Ave.

The Hall was knocked down sometime in the 90s and the lot has sat empty since then – but is now slated for a new housing development called Park & Fourth.

Rendering of the upcoming Park & Fourth housing development.

If you know anything else about the Hall or have any photos, please send them our way!