DIDSBURY - The newly-opened Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce Office and Business Centre will be instrumental in helping promote economic growth in the community for years to come, says president Helen Hafke.
Located on the second floor at 205 - 2034, 19th Avenue in Victoria Square Mall, the new 1,750-square foot office includes a large board room, reception area, and several large and smaller offices and meeting areas.
The official grand opening of the facility was held on Jan. 5, with chamber board members, local business owners, Town of Didsbury officials, dignitaries and others attending throughout the day.
“We have had tremendous response from our local businesses and we are excited to be here,” said Hafke, noting more than 30 people dropped by for the grand opening.
Founded in 1962, the Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce is a community based volunteer organization that promotes and supports economic growth and business development in the community.
The office includes the new Business Centre, which is run by the chamber and offers large and small office and desk spaces for rent on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis.
“It is a whole new direction for the chamber,” she said. “We now have an opportunity to provide a training area that means you don’t have to have 250 people; if you just have 30 to 50 you can have a smaller space and you can be here,” she said.
“We have cubicles for rent so if you are a home-based business or you just need a chance to get away from the office to get some work done, these places are available seven days a week.
“We have been approached by a number of our businesses looking for trained staff so we are trying to find ways to bring training to Didsbury. We have established a partnership with Sundance College which will allow us to bring their training out here. So we needed a facility where we can host that training.”
The chamber had previously had its office in the historic Didsbury train station on 19th Avenue. The move to the new location was announced last year, with the new office itself opening in December.
She commended the many chamber and other local volunteers who helped with the move and with setting up the new office.
“We couldn’t have done it without them,” she said. “Ride For Dad volunteered to help move all of our furniture over so we didn’t have that cost.”
Town of Didsbury Mayor Rhonda Hunter attended the grand opening on Jan. 5. She called the new facility good news for the town’s business community and the community-at-large.
“It’s amazing how creative and innovative the chamber is in Didsbury,” said Hunter. “Everything continues to grow and build and it is wonderful. We are very excited for them.
“It’s wonderful for them and for the business community. They are one of our number 1 ambassadors.”
Hunter says the town’s community services department is currently working to find a new tenant or tenants for the train station office space.
For more information on the new facility, including how to rent space at the Business Centre, see the chamber’s website and/or Facebook page.
