He wasn't one the designated speakers. He isn't a politician or a sponsor. But David Falls had perhaps the most telling line of the entire event Wednesday afternoon at the official opening ceremonies of the Canadian Mental Health Association's new South Okanagan Similkameen branch -- known as Unity House -- at 1873 Main Street in Penticton.
"If there wasn't a place like this, I'd be hooped," he told PentictonNow as the ceremony wound down.
Falls says he's long been a regular visitor to the Unity House "Clubhouse," a bright and airy place where folks with diagnosed mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia, can go to hang out with others, grab a bite to eat, play games, and share a few laughs.
But when the Penticton CMHA got word last year that it would lose its lost its longtime location further south on Skaha Lake Road, there was a chance the organization -- and the Clubhouse -- were flat-out done in the city. And that would mean tough times indeed for everyone within the facilty's rather extensive orbit.
"We were seeing notification in May of 2021 that our current space would no longer be available to use at the end of May of 2022," said Unity House executive director Leah Schulting Wednesday.
"So the challenge was to try to find a commercial space that would accommodate our program and our services. The space needed to be on a bus route, within the city limits, and accessible for parking. And it needed a kitchen.
"Through the fall months we weren’t sure we could continue. There were some scary moments when we thought we might have to shut our doors."
For local clients, the closure of the Penticton branch would mean trips to the Kelowna location -- a hugely cumbersome prospect for most and a virtual impossibility for many.
But just as hope began to ebb, there was a spark.
"We were definitely worried," said Colleen Caron, president of the CMHA South Okanagan Similkameen board of directors. "There was certainly some anxiety about that. But through networking with (address owner) Derek George from Boston Pizza, he agreed to rent it. We were able to sign the lease in November."
But signing the lease was just the start. The space, it turned out, needed work.
"We had to knock out walls because we wanted an open concept where you can see everything," said Schulting. "We installed a kitchen, which was a big undertaking. We had to do the flooring, and the painting, oh my goodness, we were here every weekend for a month."
But they did it. And Wednesday they got to celebrate a job well done.
Which brings us back around to David Falls, a likeable guy who's pretty well known around town and particularly at Vees games.
"The new Clubhouse is very spacious," he said. "There's a lot of friendly people here. I'm second generation, so I have a lot of great friends who are here.
"With my mental illness, I enjoy having a place like this. If there wasn't a place like this, I'd be hooped because we'd have no place for support."
Later we chatted with equally enthusiastic Clubhouse supporter Brent, who painted a clear picutre of what the facilty means to him.
"I'd miss it if wasn't here, that's for sure," he said. "I'd be spending lots more time by myself and that's not good. I like that I can come here and have people to talk to. I'd really miss that if it was gone."
For Brent, the pool table and its social cloud is a wonderful thing.
"We all kind of know each other here and it's a comfortable atmosphere," he said. "We get together and talk with friends I have here, but pool is a big thing. We have an eight-ball tournament every Saturday."
Multitalented support worker Tori Schwartz, now in her third year with Unity House, has her hand in a variety of programs and watched everything unfold over the past few months.
"I'm really excited about this place," she said. "I think it's going to be a good change, and it's time for a new beginning as well.
"In my opinion, this Clubhouse is better. It's more compact. It feels a bit more intimate, more homey, like a family. Even the kitchen is now part of the clubhouse so you can be a part of everything that's going on."
One of Schwatrz's big current pushes is "Pickleball for Mental Health," a three-day fundraising tourney scheduled for the Penticton Pickleball Club in mid-September. Contagiously enthusiastic reps from the club were on hand Wednesday, playing a demonstration mini-game in the parking lot and convincing a bunch of people to give it a try.
For Leah Schulting, the opening ceremony was a time to take stock.
She spoke of the facility's weekly womens' group. The on-site advocate who helps clients with paperwork and appointments. The employment and art programs. And the van, donated by Parker's Chrysler, that shuttles folks back and forth to bowling and swimming and more.
And now with the support of Unity House locked in (a five year lease with an option to renew for another five), guys like David and Brent and all their peers can look forward to smooth sailing in the years ahead.
For more info on Unity House, its Clubhouse and its programs, or to donate, head here.
