Multiworks building set to open Spring 2018

Today was a monumental day for the staff, participants, and friends of Multiworks Corp., a local non-profit that works with adults with disabilities.

In partnership and support with the City of Meadow Lake, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Association of Community Living, the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC), a new 11,200 square foot facility will be built on the corner Third St. W. and Centre St. The building was designed and will be built by Meadow Lake Properties with support from PK properties, owned by father-son team Al and Chris MacFarlane.

Dave Thickett, the executive director of Multiworks, said the organization has a long standing history in Meadow Lake, when support services started back in 1963.

“It was Dale Schneider’s mother who started asking what should be done in Meadow Lake to support people with disabilities,” he said. “The current shop was built in 1983, and was built to accommodate 18 people which as you know, things have changed since then –  we now have 43 and growing.”

The new facility will house administrative offices, educational spaces, a new kitchen, space for musical and art equipment, and it will also have a garage for the Handi-van that is funded by the City of Meadow Lake. It will come equipped with accessible bathroom facilities for clients as well, something that was lacking at the current space on Sargent Ave. The clients of Multiworks will receive educational, employment, and life skills training at the new facility.

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Thickett said that this is a project that has been in the works for a number of years, and added Community Living, SARC, the province, and participants and staff have shown some great support and input.

“We’ve probably been talking seriously about a new building for 15 years,” he said. “We really started to put a lot of time an energy into it in 2011 and toured some buildings and got some ideas. Our board has been tremendous, putting up with the highs and lows of that process.”

Multiworks board president Unita Esau said the board is happy for the new development.

“We’re absolutely thrilled for a new home and for all of our clients,” she said “It started out like most things do with an idea: how do we make lives better for the people that we support? What you see here today is years of work coming together.”

Meadow Lake Mayor Gary Vidal and Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison were also in attendance at the event, and congratulated the organization for its work in the community.

“Dave, [Thickett] when you came to see me a few months ago to share some of this with me, your passion is tremendous, and it’s always encouraging to see the enthusiasm of your participants,” Vidal said.

“I want to acknowledge all the effort you put in, not just for this project but every day,” Harrison said. “It was a priortity for me to be here today.”

Contractor Al MacFarlane said the design for the building came from a great deal of consultation with the staff and clients of Multiworks.

“We’re starting to break ground tomorrow, hope to have it ready April 1,” he said.

Thickett added that the new building will be the hub of the whole organization.

“Most folks will come here to start their day,” he said. Then go off to their place of employment or stay here for their activities. It’s where we’ll connect the staff and participants. Everyone is really looking forward to the new building.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath