The Diamond Valley Sustainable Living Centre, a striking 2,800-square-foot facility that includes specialized tools and equipment for sharing, is hosting its grand opening next weekend.
The centre is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization operating under the Alberta Companies Act, led by local volunteers who share knowledge, ideas and tools to encourage sustainable living in the community.
Members are hosting the grand opening of the Valley Makerspace on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22, 1 to 5 p.m. both days, at 218 Kennedy Dr. SE in Diamond Valley (formerly Turner Valley).
The Valley Makerspace is one of several initiatives intended to nurture community values that include living environmentally and socially just lifestyles. Although the makerspace concept is not new, this facility is new to Diamond Valley.
The facility features a state-of-the-art laser cutter, 3-D printers, a wide variety of woodworking and metalworking tools, indoor gardening systems, sewing and much more. This new community asset and creative centre offers opportunities to learn and share skills among like-minded creative people who are eager to exchange knowledge and ideas, and to build community through their creativity.
In addition to the Valley Makerspace, the centre plans to offer workshops, seminars, training and presentations to support the organization’s core initiatives: sustainability education; responsible use, re-use and upcycling of resources; and food, water and energy security.
For example, food security education includes indoor and outdoor growing and food preservation techniques. The centre offers seminars on topics like the concept of sustainability and regenerative practices for growing food such as permaculture, seed saving and xeriscaping.
The centre plans to hold presentations in the months ahead on topics such as understanding your energy bill and how to reduce energy costs, rainwater capture and landscaping approaches for water retention, LEED building practices, learning basic sewing skills and sewing for repairs, and more.
Under the mantra of ‘Start Them Young,’ and with support from the Foothills Energy Co-op and the Turner Valley Legion, it has started offerings outdoor experiences for toddlers under the Connections Nature School.
The centre is organized around a strong sense of community, a desire to collaborate with partners (currently including The Leighton Centre, Sheep River Library, the Town of Diamond Valley and local businesses) and to provide educational opportunities that empower people with diverse interests and shared commitment to enhance the quality of life in the Diamond Valley and neighbouring communities.
The public is welcome to the grand opening to learn more about the various initiatives and to find out how to get involved as a member, volunteer or participant.
