New Space, Stronger Ties

“Eventually the team here at Kopar decided, yeah, this is something we want to do,” said operations manager Ken Newell. “So then we reached out to the PG Men’s Shed, and over the course of several weeks, we discussed it.”

The group officially moved into their new space on June 2.

Newell explained that the partnership makes sense because Kopar already focuses on training and community development. Its BladeRunners program helps young people interested in construction, and the Men’s Shed brings experienced tradespeople into a similar hands-on setting.

“It was just a natural fit because we’re trying to build into the community,” Newell said.

But there’s more to this story than just tools and workbenches.

The Men’s Shed movement is about connection, purpose, and health. According to CMHA Northern B.C., Men’s Sheds help improve men’s physical and mental health by offering activities they want to join, and they also help reduce isolation.

Newell said this focus is important to Kopar.

“What they deal with, with the mental health and all that, is very important to us,” he said. “So it is something that we are very focused on in this area and part of our community.”

For the PG Men’s Shed, having a bigger, stable space means members have a place to gather, talk, and feel useful. It also allows them to do more for the wider community.

“This is a huge step for the PG Men’s Shed,” said Andrew Derbyshire. “Now that we have space, we can do more projects for the community. We have a place for storing things, and it’s just a bigger space.”

Derbyshire added that the move will help the group grow.

“Now we can get more members out,” he said.

That growth is important because the Shed offers more than just practical work. It gives men a place to meet, spend time together, and avoid feeling isolated. The local group has also supported organizations in Prince George, such as Better at Home, the Pacific Autism Centre, and Hospice, according to Kopar.

Derbyshire said the invitation is simple.

“Any gentleman that’s looking for a place to talk with other guys, have coffee, socialize, maybe bring in their own wood and work on their own projects, or help us out in the community,” he said. “It’s just a nice place to hang out.”

The PG Men’s Shed now meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Anyone interested in joining can reach out through the PG Men’s Shed Facebook group.

by Dave Branco

New Space, Stronger Ties

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