INNISFAIL – The local Men’s Shed group has given the Town of Innisfail's council notice that its 50 plus members are set to officially move into the Innisfail & District Historical Village this summer.
On May 5, members of the Central Alberta Men’s Shed (Innisfail) and Anna Lenters, president of the Innisfail and District Historical Society, made a joint presentation to Innisfail's council that an agreement and partnership has been struck for the service group to move into the village’s Auto Building.
Council was told the local Men’s Shed, a group of retired citizens dedicated to creating useful projects for the community, was formed in the fall of 2022.
The group became a society in 2023 and has been “waiting patiently” for more than two years to find a permanent home.
During that time group members built community projects in their personal garages, and gathered informally to talk about group business at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104.
“Our mission statement is safeguarding the preservation, interpretation and enjoyment of the history of Innisfail and district,” Lenters told council. “This collaboration with these gentlemen (Men’s Shed) may seem a little bit different but it allows us to achieve some of those goals because we share similar ideals, ethics, ideas towards the community and what we're wanting to achieve.”
Council was told the agreement will give Men’s Shed three-quarters of the 60 by 40-foot Auto Building to use for the construction of community projects and as a place to socialize, have a coffee, play cards, and discuss men's issues.
The historical society will use the remaining space to create a replica of the pioneer Kremer’s Garage that was once located on Main Street.
Men’s Shed members will construct a divider wall.
Once that is completed and Men’s Shed members have moved in this summer, the group will pay the annual cost of utilities for the use of that space, an amount that is expected to cost about $1,500.
Council was told Men’s Shed will then renovate their new space to “suit” the use with a budget of about $10,000.
“We're moving a wall. We're doing some additional walls on the side and insulation, and we got some electrical to do,” said Brad Watson, Men’s Shed treasurer. “Requirements of the total cost and dealing with permits is not known at this time. That'll be one of the next things we deal with.”
The group was aided financially on April 28 with council’s approval of a $2,500 grant from the 2025 FCSS Innisfail Grant Funding allocation.
Dale Ray, president of the local Men’s Shed, told council the partnership will also increase exposure and community awareness for both, as well as increase public visits at the historical village.
He also said there will be added security by having Men’s Shed members on the grounds for 12 months of the year.
Coun. Jason Heistad saluted the partnership, especially the fact the village will be used for the entire year.
He wanted to know is there was thought of enlisting the help of high school students who would benefit from the many skills of Men’s Shed members.
Ray said that idea has been discussed with more being made once Men’s Shed members are officially set up in their new home this summer.
“We will see what the legalities are, the safety of bringing the kids in there but that is something we are looking at,” said Ray.
