Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Club celebrates grand opening at Sturgeon Agriplex

By Haylee Winger

The Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Club (MSMSC) officially celebrated the grand opening of its new home on Nov. 15 at the Sturgeon Agriplex, located at 25021 Township Road 554 in Sturgeon County. More than 60 attendees joined the event, marking a major milestone for the growing community organization.

Greeters Bruce Ehrman and Bruce Davis welcomed guests and led tours through the newly constructed member-built workshop, showcasing completed projects and the club’s spacious meeting area.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, Morinville Mayor Simon Boersma, and Sturgeon Agriplex Society President Cody Johnston. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony featured Building Committee Chair Bruce Davis, MSMSC Chair Monty Johnson, Mayor Hnatiw, and President Johnston.

The program also included remarks from Mayor Boersma and a presentation of the book Living and Aging Well by author and LPN Kathleen Cesarin, gifted to the club in recognition of its mission.

Chairman Monty Johnson served as emcee, delivering a message centered on “Celebrating Community, Connection and Craftsmanship.” In his address, Johnson emphasized that a Men’s Shed is more than a space for tinkering with tools—it is a place for sharing stories, building friendships, contributing skills, and turning “me time” into “we time.”

Johnson reflected on the club’s beginnings in April 2024, when a small group of residents set out with determination and a shared vision. Early support from Kathleen Cesarin of Morinville FCSS and Elene Hartman of Sturgeon County FCSS helped the group gain momentum despite initially lacking a permanent home.

During that time, members contributed to several community projects, including constructing bottle bins for the Rotary Club of Morinville Sturgeon, birdhouses for the Namao Historical Society, and compost bins for the Morinville Community Gardens.

The club hosted its inaugural International Men’s Day dinner last November and its second on Nov. 17 of this year. A turning point came in December 2024 when Hartman identified the Sturgeon Agriplex as a possible permanent location. With Sturgeon County’s support, the group secured funding and began building their own workshop, completing construction by July. Heavy equipment was moved into the space this past October.

Johnson extended sincere thanks to the many volunteers and contributors who made the workshop a reality. He recognized founding chair and “chief marketer” Cecil Mackesey, Secretary Brent Henry, Treasurer Don Bodinsky, and Building Committee Chair Bruce Davis and his team—including Ehrman, Bodinsky, Patric Rankin, Brian Stouton, Eric Hartman, John Wasmuth, and Alan Otway—for their hands-on work. Additional appreciation was given to those who completed finishing touches, including taping, mudding, painting, and administrative support. Johnson noted that a sponsor recognition board will be created in the new year to honour all supporters.

The MSMSC will meet from 6–8 p.m. on Dec. 1, Jan. 5 and 19, and Feb. 2, 2026.

The Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Club is one of more than 30 Men’s Sheds operating across Alberta. The Alberta Men’s Sheds Association (AMSA), established in 2022, supports the expanding network. New openings this year include Jasper, Peace River, Innisfail, Grande Prairie, and now Morinville Sturgeon.

Men’s Sheds provide safe and welcoming spaces for men to gather, talk, share coffee, learn new skills, and work on meaningful projects. Activities range widely—from woodworking and furniture repair to cooking, crafting, metalwork, sketching, and more—driven entirely by the interests of local members.

For more information, contact the Alberta Men’s Sheds Association or the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Club at mwj54@telus.net