THE STORY CONTINUES IN MERVILLE
Honouring Mack Laing Together
From Lemons to Legacy – “We may not have saved the house—but together, we will preserve the legacy”
Background
Over a number of months in 2025 and 2026, the Merville Community Association (MCA), encouraged by the MLHS, met with the Town of Comox to explore relocating the unwanted Shakesides house, built by Hamilton Mack Laing, to the Merville Hall site, where it would have been restored into a Merville hall caretaker residence and a museum dedicated to the legacy of Mack Laing. Sadly, the planned project did not proceed due to the Town’s questionable decision to demolish the building.
However, there is a Way Forward …
The MCA has chosen to move forward positively with a renewed focus on celebrating the life and legacy of Mack Laing through community partnerships and engagement.
Proposed Action Plan
Work collaboratively with partners, government agencies and local communities to celebrate and preserve Mack Laing’s legacy.
- Launch a community fundraising initiative built around the inspiring story of how two small but dedicated non-profit organizations worked together to honour Mack Laing and create something meaningful for future generations.
- Develop a replica of the Shakesides house that could serve as a Merville hall caretaker’s residence on the main floor and attic area; and a Mack Laing artifact storage and museum display area on the lower, ground floor including a retail-style display window on an outside wall.
- Have the Mack Laing Heritage Society (MLHS) oversee displays, programming, and related events.
- Install a storyboard on the Merville Hall site that shares the story of Mack Laing and his Shakesides house, the community effort involved, and the vision for preserving his legacy.
- Host a community celebration once the residence and museum are completed.
- Continue building pride and awareness through rotating exhibits within the building; educational programming, and community events connected to Mack Laing’s life and contributions.