Building Our Men’s Shed – Our Vision Realized
Grand Opening: November 15, 2025
Some projects take more than tools and time. They begin as an idea—quiet at first—and grow through the people willing to carry it forward.
For us, that idea began in January 2024.
What started as a simple concept—to create a space where men could gather, build, and connect—quickly gained momentum. By March, we held our first meeting. There was curiosity, openness, and a shared sense that something meaningful could come from this.
In April 2024, we officially incorporated as a society. From there, the real work began—planning, organizing, and figuring out how to bring the vision into something tangible. At that point, we didn’t yet have a permanent home, but we kept moving forward, working out of borrowed spaces and building both projects and relationships along the way. A huge thanks to Morinville Community Cultural Centre and Morinville Rendez-Vous Centre for donating their spaces while we worked to create our final home.
A major step came when we secured the opportunity to build our workshop inside the Sturgeon Agriplex. With support from Sturgeon County, the Town of Morinville, and others in the community, the vision began to take shape in a very real way.
Building the Shed became one of our biggest projects.
After receiving our building permit in June 2025, we got to work constructing the space on the second floor. Members took on framing, finishing, painting, and setting up what would become our shop. It wasn’t always smooth—there were a few headaches along the way—but that’s part of any build. What stayed consistent was the willingness to figure things out together.
By July, most of the construction was complete, and through the fall we moved in tools and equipment, gradually turning the space into something functional and welcoming.
Then, on November 15, 2025, with 12 members, we opened the doors.
More than 60 people joined us for the grand opening at the Sturgeon Agriplex. It was a chance to share the space with the community that supported us—local leaders, partners, and friends who helped make this possible. This included Morinville Mayor, Simon Boersma, Sturgeon County Mayor, Alanna Hnatiw, Elene Hartman from Sturgeon County FCSS and Kathleen Cesarin, Author, Morinville FCSS Adult & Senior Programmer.
Standing there that day, it was clear this was more than just a workshop. From the beginning, we’ve said the Shed is about more than building things. It’s about connection. It’s about turning “me time” into “we time.” It’s a place where skills are shared, conversations happen naturally, and people find a sense of purpose alongside others.
Looking back, the journey from that first idea in early 2024 to opening our doors in late 2025 was empowering, sometimes challenging, and genuinely enjoyable. We built something real—together.
And now, with a place to call our own, the work continues.
If you’d like to support the Men’s Shed and the work we do in the community, many of our handcrafted items are available for purchase through current inventory or custom order.
Visit: www.mensshedclub.com/contact