PORT MOUTON – Coastal Queens Place in Port Mouton is looking for an individual or couple to manage the hostel.
“Basically, it’s just somebody to be here during the evenings and on the weekends,” Marilyn Kellough, chairwoman for Coastal Queens Place’s board, said about the volunteer position.
Kellough says it would be fine if the potential manager has another job during the day.
The manager or managers would be responsible for checking people in.
“And what we’re offering is if they come, they could have the manager’s room, and there’s a bed, and they can have free board,” said Kellough. “So, that’s one of the initiatives we’d like to offer people.”
If the individual or couple required a weekend off, says Kellough, someone else could fill in. Kellough says Coastal Queens Place has also applied for a grant to hire a student, and that student could fill in occasionally as well.
The hostel is open all-year round and is part of Backpackers Hostels Canada – a network of more than 140 backpackers’ hostels.
“We had hoped that we could get some of the cold-water surfers to come because we’ve got a place they can hang their wetsuits,” explained kellough.
Though there is no manager yet, Kellough says people can still stay at the hostel - they just have to understand no one will be on site throughout the night.
To reach Marilyn Kellough by phone, call 902-683-2812.
The board
In addition to seeking a hostel manager, Coastal Queens Place is also looking for a couple of new board members, said Kellough.
“Right now, we’re looking for somebody that has accounting experience to help one of the volunteers – the treasurer – to do some of the financing,” she said.
The board is also looking for people that may run the gallery.
“Anybody could come and be a member of the board if they come and talk to me,” said Kellough.
Anyone interested in studio or workshop space can also contact Kellough.
There are five board members, and Kellough says the hope is to have at least two more.
In addition to the hostel, Coastal Queens Place has two craft shops with homemade items and a yard sale. The yard sale allows the board to pay for oil and heat the building, said Kellough.
“It’s a big building to heat,” she said.
Kellough says the hostel, which sleeps 33, is a busy spot. An artist, Kellough has a studio in the building.
“I love it because it’s a hub,” she said.
She says a lot of people drop in to the use the computer. People also stop by to have coffee, play cards and simply chat. The space offers a community atmosphere, added Kellough.
Coastal Queens Place is open from May until Christmas.
Go online: For more information about Coastal Queens Place, visit the Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/coastalqueenplace/. For information about Backpackers Hostels Canada, go to http://www.backpackers.ca/listings.php?provinceid=Nova%20Scotia.
