Whether it’s woodworking, engine repairs, crafts, or a card game, local men will soon be able to do it all under one roof at Cold Lake’s first Men’s Shed.
“A Men’s Shed is a place for men to gather with other men and do projects that are meaningful to them. They can find a listening ear, they can find friends and tell stories, socialize, it’s a good place to go and do stuff with other guys,” explained Diane Stonehocker, chair of the Age Friendly Cold Lake Society.
She added, “It’s mostly attractive to older men, because they’re the ones that have some time on their hands, are isolated, and aren’t able to find things to do.”
Stonehocker, along with Age Friendly board member Wayne Warner, were in front of City of Cold Lake council during their Oct. 8 meeting to share their new venture and request $25,000 in funding.
Originating in Australia in the late 1990s, the goal of the Men’s Shed is to give men, particularly retired men, a place where they can find camaraderie. The initiative first came to Canada in 2011 in Winnipeg. Since then, Men’s Sheds have popped up across the country, however, there are currently only three in Alberta in Calgary, Edmonton, and Camrose.
“The whole idea is for men’s health really. Men communicate different from women, that’s one of the things I’ve always pushed here,” explained Warner. “When men get together, they can sit and they could sit together for half an hour and not say a word if they were doing something with their hands, it’s a totally different thing.”
Warner joined the Age Friendly Cold Lake Society, a local non-profit organization that focuses on programming and awareness surrounding aging, with the purpose of bringing a Men’s Shed to the area.
Having lived in the area since 1977 and being retired himself, he’s seen first-hand the need for the program in the community.
“When men retire, yesterday they had 10 to 30 people they worked with. They find the day after they retire, those aren’t friends, they’re just work mates, they’re acquaintances. So, all of a sudden, you’re alone.”
It was because of this reason that he, personally, planned his retirement to taper off.
“I’ve seen people go through the rigours of not having somewhere to connect with people… There are people out there, I’ve met them in the mall, and they’re just happy to talk to somebody. Their wives say the same thing, they’ll tell them ‘aren’t you going to get out of the house?’ after they retire.”
When Warner first brought the idea to the attention of Age Friendly Cold Lake, Stonehocker expressed it was an easy decision to get on-board.
“It’s a particular interest for Age Friendly, because its main purpose is to address isolation in older men, retired men. Isolation is a difficult and deadly issue for all people as they get older, especially so for men. Women can usually find friends, a quilting club, or a group to go to a movie with, men aren’t normally inclined to gather in that same way,” she explained, noting studies have shown that older people who are isolated are at a greater risk for an early death.
“It’s the perfect fit for us. We’re about healthy aging and about helping people maintain activity and social connections.”
Thanks to the overwhelming support from the Cold Lake and District FCSS, they were able to get the project off the ground.
Currently, the society is in the process of finding a home for the Men’s Shed. While they don’t have an exact location yet, Stonehocker said they have a few options on the table. They’re anticipating a monthly cost between $2,000 and $2,500 for the facility cost, including rent and utilities.
The $25,000 ask from city council is to cover that cost in their first year while they get up and running.
“For the second year, during the first year we will participate in fundraising activities that will generate a larger amount of money, like a fishing derby, golf tournament, or whatever. We’re fairly confident that we’ll be able to cover the cost in the second year, but the first year we need to get established, we need to have a presence, we need to have a place.”
If they receive the funding from council, they aim to have the Men’s Shed up and running at the start of the new year.
Set up in a come and go format, the idea is to have a space where men can do any type of hobby that comes to mind, whether that be woodworking, model airplanes, engine repair, or just sitting down for a coffee.
There will be a nominal membership fee and men will be required to bring their own supplies, however if they’re creating something that will benefit the Men’s Shed or another community group, Stonehocker said those expenses will be covered.
“We’re aiming at older men because they’re the most likely to be experiencing too much time on their hands and the risk of isolation and depression. But, in fact, younger men are certainly welcome. There is the opportunity for mentorship, there’s going to be some men that come here and do really cool things.”
To gauge interest from the community, and get the word out about what a Men’s Shed is, Age Friendly Cold Lake will be hosting a meeting on Oct. 29 at the Cold Lake Agriplex starting at 7 p.m.
Stonehocker encouraged any local men who are interested in learning more about the concept to attend.
“I think it will be a great asset. The men that we have been working with about it, they’re excited about it.”
