Makerspace opens shop in Pointe

Jun 02, 2023

FabZone wants to create a space that isn't intimidating for people — from any skill level — who are eager to learn and share their interests.

With the backing of two major local organizations, there are high hopes for a non-profit makerspace aimed at West Islanders with a penchant for do-it-yourself projects or who are hoping to learn handy skills.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Don't have an account? Create Account

FabZone offers high-tech equipment and manual tools at its recently opened workspace at Pointe-Claire Plaza on St-Jean Blvd. near Highway 20. FabZone staff and volunteers, including schoolteachers, will provide guidance on using the various tools.

Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Montreal Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Montreal Gazette Headline News will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

"It's all about building community and getting other people to come in and discuss what projects they are working on or to share their knowledge," FabZone executive director Katy Johnston said.

The aim was to set up a space that wasn't intimidating for people — from any skill level — who are eager to learn and share their interests, she said.

The FabZone shop offers its members access to 3D printing, sewing machines, Cricut machines, vinyl cutters, a drill press, such woodworking tools as a sander and a band saw, as well as soldering stations.

It will soon offer classes to teach people how to use the equipment. The classes will be held outside their regular Wednesday to Sunday hours. Workshop space is divided among the different types of equipment or stations being offered.

Laptops are available to be used with the 3D printers, for which Johnston will eventually lead introductory workshops dealing with software and highlighting potential projects, which could include small replacements parts for household items.

"A lot of people don't realize when you get a 3D model, it prints in one piece. You don't have to put it together," she said.

Models for 3D printing can be found online or people can design their own, she said.

The target audience for the sewing machines is wide-ranging. It includes people who like thrifting and want to remake or personalize older or second-hand garments, Johnston said.

"A few men have come in and said they want to hem their own pants. Some people want to make curtains or cushion covers," she said.

Johnston, who has been running a fablab for students at a French high school in LaSalle, said the initial plan was to open FabZone a few years ago, but it was pushed back at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The delay provided them an opportunity to rally supporters in the community to prep personal protective equipment, she noted.

FabZone is backed by PME MTL Ouest-de-l’Île, a publicly funded agency that encourages local entrepreneurship, and West Island Community Shares (WICS), an umbrella fundraising organization that helps more than 40 community groups. Its corporate sponsors are Home Depot and Caisse Desjardins de l’Ouest-de-l’Île.

WICS, which funds non-profits ranging from food banks, youth and cancer support groups to the West Island Women's Shelter, decided FabZone fits with their objective to promote green initiatives, since it encourages people to do practical repairs or repurpose material. The social aspect of the workshop also sets an appealing tone, said Danielle Leggett, director of community impact at WICS.

"This makerspace fits really nicely into our green fund," Leggett said. "We like to fund different organizations that benefit the environment with green initiatives. We felt our injection of funds into this fledging organization could help (them) start up. There's a strong appetite for this kind of community organization (that brings) people into a collective space to make use of materials to repair and fix equipment, rather than buying something new or rather than all these things ending up in a dump."

WICS has encouraged its network of organizations to take advantage of FabZone's offerings, such as teen drop-in centre participants taking workshops on how to use power tools. Access to high-calibre sewing machines might appeal to many organizations supported by WICS whose clientele want to expand their skills but might not be able to afford such equipment on their own, Leggett said.

"There's a full range of services and programs offered (at FabZone) that we wanted to support and make this a reality and help build different relationships with our groups," she added.

It's a unique concept being offered in the West Island that will surely encourage people to develop new skills leading to hands-on projects.

FabZone user rates are $30 per month for students (ages 12 and up) or seniors and $45 for adults. Equivalent six-month rates are set at $150 and $225. For more information, visit fabzone.org.

[email protected]

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

To contribute to the conversation, you need to be logged in. If you are not yet registered, create your account now - it's FREE.