The Barrie Simcoe Community Woodshop is working hard toward re-establishing the local club after losing their home back in 2016 due to building safety regulations.
Garry Hagerman, president of the non-profit organization, tells BarrieToday they are struggling to find a community-spirited property owner willing to support their efforts in finding a space to rent at a below-market rate, which would enable them to get back into operation again.
The group has since been shelved, with all woodworking equipment stored away, until that day comes.
Over the years, the club's carpenters have supported and worked with Scouts Canada with their homemade kart races, the Barrie Public Library, the Terry Fox Run, and elementary school programming, among others.
Up until 2016, the woodworkers operated out of a shop in the basement of the Victoria Village senior living community building on Ross Street.
While at that location, the city’s recreation and culture services department paid the rent on the space, according to Hagerman, and the club handled all day-to-day operations, as well as providing the instructors for the department’s Woodworking 101 course.
As a result of new fire regulations at the time, the city closed the shop, as building upgrades in regards to venting, among other issues, were considered too costly, he said.
During the club’s involuntary downtime over the past several years, he says a number of dedicated members have continued to try to find a new home, as well as support other organizations in the city by providing volunteers and tools to complete projects that supported the other organization’s goals.
One example of that work is the community gardens that have been built in public parks around the city, by constructing the wood garden beds
“We worked with the Urban Pantry (a community food program of the Canadian Mental Health Association) on projects, as well as completing two projects for the Barrie Fair,” said Hagerman.
“The woodworkers have always been keen to be a community resource as well as a place where woodworkers can practise their hobby and enjoy spending time with others of similar interest,” he added.
Hagerman says they are armed with a flexible business plan and have put forth a proposal to the city in an effort to try and find a home for their group, along with approaching real estate agents, attempting to find a willing landlord to house their shop.
To contact the group, email Hagerman at [email protected].
