OLDS — Council has approved a proposal to turn the former municipal operations Quonset into a shared space for the Men’s Shed of Olds, the Olds Art Club, the Mountain View Moccasin House Society (MVMHS) and possibly other community groups.
The idea also includes setting up a community garden outside the facility, located at 4825 – 51st St. in east Olds.
Guy Lapointe, the town’s new community services director, said the Men’s Shed mandate is to help reduce social isolation and improve mental wellness for older men. It's a chance for them to socialize and work on projects.
MVMHS is a non-profit group that facilitates indigenous cultural teachings and practices to promote understanding and appreciation for indigenous and non-indigenous ways of life.
Lapointe said the participation of MVMHS in the building “will be a welcome addition to the initiative as they will further help to promote diversity and cultural awareness."
“Re-purposing this facility will offer opportunities for all residents to benefit from increased access to workshop space that promotes mental well-being, creativity and culture,” a town document about the project said.
“Further, this site will uplift and enhance the east Olds neighbourhood as well as the entire community.”
Lapointe told council that current plans call for the facility to officially open some time next fall. Renovations are expected be undertaken from March until about October.
Lapointe warned that that timeline will change, if the town’s grant applications are turned down.
In that case he said renovations would be more phased-in “prioritizing more critical changes required to use the space as a public building.”
Administrative staff will apply for grants such as the federal government’s Green and Inclusive Communities Buildings Grant (GICB). It’s hoped that grant could cover 80 per cent of the cost of renovations.
The town earlier obtained a GICB grant to help cover its ongoing renovations to the aquatic centre.
Lapointe said renovations will only be done to the interior of the building, not the exterior, “as the building envelope is sound, and major changes to the structure could trigger more extensive remediation requirements.”
It was noted that the town currently pays utility and insurance costs for the building.
“Maintaining this commitment for the Men’s Shed and community arts hub will be the town’s contribution towards a collaborative relationship supporting the success of this new resource,” the town document said.
“The town will continue covering operating costs until an organization can assume that responsibility.”
The annual cost of operating and maintenance for the building was pegged at $9,000.
The document noted that town staff met with town council as far back as last January to share their vision for the former operations building.
Town council directed administrative staff to undertake more research on the idea. That led to a community information sharing and gathering event regarding the facility on Sept. 19 which attracted about 90 people.
Lapointe was asked if the facility will be available for other groups, beyond those previously mentioned.
“Absolutely,” he said. “First thing, we want to get the doors open and accommodate these first three groups.”
After that, he said, “we’d obviously want to see those space active and utilized by as many groups as possible.”
It was noted that Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) staff in town, who have been helping groups interested in utilizing the building, have talked to other groups in and out of town about the project.
For example, there are Men’s Shed organizations in Innisfail and Olds.
Several councillors spoke in favour of the plan.
Coun. Wanda Blatz was pleased to see that the plan incorporates a community garden.
Coun. Darren Wilson echoed that point.
“I really like these artists’ rendering diagrams, so if we can replicate those, let’s do ‘er. Of course, be mindful of the cost and where the funding’s going to come from,” he said.
Coun. James Cummings described the concept as “a hands dirty sort of environment,” as opposed to the Jean’s Place, near the Mountain View Museum, which Cummings said is “more of a meeting place for the FCSS and our community groups.”
“I think this is a great organization, a great plan, and I’m supporting it,” he said.
“It sounds like a real dream to come true that a man can have some fun instead of us trying to keep him busy,” Mayor Judy Dahl said, sparking some light laughter.
Representatives of the Men’s Shed, Moccasin House and the arts community were in the gallery during council’s discussion.
Men’s Shed of Olds president Morley Kjargaard and Brent Collins, a member of both the Men’s Shed of Olds and Moccasin House, spoke to the Albertan regarding council’s approval of the concept.
“I’m really pleased that there’s the kind of support that’s coming forward,” Collins said, although he added that he’s concerned about the potential of Men’s Shed power tools causing injury to someone, possibly someone not connected with that organization, but who is utilizing the space.
Collins said as a Moccasin House representative, he sees the multi-use space as a “tremendous opportunity” for advancing truth and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people.
“It’s really good, the spectrum of people that would use that facility,” he said.
Kjargaard said council’s approval creates “more enthusiasm on our part to get things organized, to identify projects and to become active.”
He too likes the fact the facility will be a multi-use one.
“I would say the more people, the better,” Kjargaard said.
“The town is blessed with some very, very creative, and knowledgeable, skilled people, and if we can give them an outlet to pursue that passion, no matter what it is, I think the whole town wins, so I’m looking forward to it.”
