A new community space in Port Alberni aims to become a hub of creativity for local artists, artisans and entrepreneurs.
The Alberni Valley Makerspace provides a public space for people to work on projects, but it also allows people to share ideas, equipment and knowledge. The non-profit society’s building on Third Avenue, above the Recycling Depot, provides access to tools, resources, lessons and a shared workspace. There are 3D printers, a laser cutter, woodworking tools, craft supplies, computers and space for classrooms and group projects.
The Makerspace officially opened its doors in March 2023. So far, it has around 30 monthly members and it sees around 15 drop-ins a weekend.
“It has been a fairly big success so far,” said Michael Moore, the president and founder of the Makerspace.
But the biggest hurdle for the Makerspace, since its inception, has always been funding. Moore has been working on the project for years, putting thousands of dollars of his own funding into the project. But he hasn’t been able to entice many other partnerships with companies and organizations to help with the capital costs.
“I decided it’s going to happen whether we find the funding or not,” Moore laughed.
Currently, it is run by a dedicated team of volunteers, but Moore says he is interested in hiring staff—once he can get the funding in place.
“We just don’t have the funding,” said Moore. “We did not anticipate how many people we would need to run the place. Luckily, we’ve had some amazing volunteers step up and we’ve been able to start to formulate more of a schedule.”
The Makerspace was able to use the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District’s grant-in-aid program to pay for the electrical work in its 3,300 square foot space, and Moore has also partnered with Creative Coast to help with some grant applications. So far, none of these applications have been successful.
Moore admits that he has been a little disappointed by the lack of interest from local governments and other funding sources. A Makerspace, said Moore, should be as valuable to a community as a library.
“People can foster their ideas, build and create and generate their own income,” said Moore. “There have been so many businesses that have reached out to us with projects, entrepreneurs who want to build new products. We’re so much to so many people and there’s so much we’re trying to cover.”
In the meantime, the Makerspace is generating a bit of income with memberships. The Makerspace’s first official member was Emma Wall, who can usually be spotted there working on one of her cosplay projects. Wall says she first heard about the Makerspace at one of their booths at the Alberni District Fall Fair and was immediately interested. Wall is a cosplayer who builds and creates her own costumes and was interested in the ability to create her own 3D-printed projects.
“I was here opening day,” said Wall. “I think I’ve been here every weekend since then.”
She got interested in cosplay back 2016, but didn’t start making her own costumes until last year. The Makerspace gives her more room to work on her projects, and even gives her the ability to install things like lights and electronics.
“I also like it because I get to hang out with like-minded nerdy, creative people,” she added.
Moore does not want to run the Makerspace as a business. It is a community space, he says, that provides access to tools and teaching. Anyone who is interested in running classes or workshops can rent the Makerspace and use its resources.
“This,” he added, gesturing to the entire space, “isn’t mine. This is the community’s. We put our dollars and our resources to build it—now it’s up to the community to put it to use.”
Currently, the Makerspace is open on Fridays from 4-9 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A membership is $40 a month. Drop-ins are $10, but this provides only limited access to tools and equipment.
Tours, meanwhile, are always available for schools, community groups or individuals.
“Just come on by,” says Moore.
