Our History
The Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corp. was originally incorporated in 1971 with assistance from the local Kinsmen Club – thus the “Kin” in our name. At that time, a minimum of two Kinsmen members sat on the Board of Directors. The building was located on 6th Street with a mandate to serve those with disabilities in the City. A Manager was hired in August of 1971, with three supervisors and a total of 13 program participants.
Some of the original contracts and projects included silk screening, candle making, sorting bottles for Laing’s Beverages, duplicating, snow shoveling, wedding decorations, highway stakes and slip covers for Canada Wire.
In 1976 the organization moved to a new location on 10th Street. During the next couple of years, several grants and donations were received from the government and Kinsmen that were used to facilitate and equip the new building.
In 1979 the Wor-Kin Shop purchased Aspen Industries, a pallet manufacturing company located in North Weyburn and affiliated with Weyburn Psychiatric Center. This amalgamation increased the number of program participants to 46, many of whom continued to work in the wood production area.
Between 1982 and 1990, several changes took place. Two more building additions were developed and the SARCAN Recycling Depot was opened in May 1988 – one of the original depots in the province. The Corporation became a SARC (Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres) member agency.
In 1994 a paper recycling program was developed. This involved collecting various types of paper and cardboard, then sorting and baling it to sell to markets in western Canada. Over the years this program has changed and evolved to meet the changing needs and abilities of the participants involved in its operation as well as the requirements of the community. A Confidential Document Shredding service was added as an additional option for businesses and individuals.
In December 1995, a new building at 1720 East Avenue was purchased. This was the former beer storage facility for the Saskatchewan Brewer’s Association. Renovations were completed and occupancy happened in 1996. Since then, the products and services offered have continued to change and expand. Our programming focus is on offering quality of life, community based programs and employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Big Changes
In 2007, the Board and management recognized the need for some changes. We were physically outgrowing our building as it was becoming very crowded. The needs of the current program participants were changing to less traditional vocational programs. We were developing a growing wait list for services in the coming years that required more specialized programs and supports which we would be unable to meet within our current facility.
We began the process of identifying gaps and upcoming/future needs. We looked at various options for physical space, including renovating our existing building. We looked at every available building in the city and had renovation plans drawn up for several we felt may work. We held focus groups and strategic planning sessions. We viewed various operations around the province and learned from them.
Ultimately, after several years, we determined that building a brand new facility to meet our future needs made the most sense.
New Building Project History
2011 marked our 40th anniversary of operations and the launch of our major fundraising campaign to raise 30% of the funds needed for a new Day Program Building. Once that goal was reached, the Ministry of Social Services agreed to fund the remainder. We had also determined a brand new Sarcan Recycling depot and Vocational Training Centre were needed as well. Constructing three new buildings and raising over a half million dollars was a huge undertaking!
The building projects were broken down into two phases. On a bitterly cold day In December 2013 we broke ground on Phase 1 - two warehouses; one to house the 6,000 sq ft Sarcan Recycling depot and the other to house the 5,000 sq ft Vocational Training Centre. In the Fall of 2014 we completed the move to these two new buildings and held an official Grand Opening for Sarcan Recycling in November.
In June 2014 we broke ground on the Day Program Building - a 7,200 sq ft building to house our main Day Program and administration offices. We couldn't have done this without the important people, groups and organizations listed below. On a beautiful day in August 2015 we held the official Grand Opening with many dignitaries in attendance. We celebrated with a BBQ hosted by our amazing builders (DSI Contracting), an official ceremony with speeches from our local MLA Dustin Duncan, the Mayor of Weyburn, our Board Chair, and our Executive Director.
Our Donors
A great big THANK YOU to our many donors, including:
Government of Saskatchewan
- For their capital contribution and ongoing funding
Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation ($200,000)
- Our building was named the Kinsmen Foundation Community Centre in honour of this gift.
Platinum Sponsors ($25,000 plus)
- Weyburn Youngfellows
- Weyburn Credit Union
- ValleyView Petroleums Ltd.
Gold Sponsors ($10,001 - $24,999)
- Weyburn Kinsmen & Kinettes
- Ladies Legion Auxiliary Branch #47
Silver Sponsors ($5,001 - $10,000)
- Bill & Helen Davidson Foundation
- DFA Transport Ltd.
- Elizabeth Hoffart
- Legacy Oil & Gas Inc.
- RM of Griffin
- RM of Lomond
- Walmart (Weyburn)
- Weyburn Co-op Association
Bronze Sponsors ($500 - $5,000)
- Alexandria Rebekah Lodge
- April Sampson
- Barber Motors (1963) Ltd.
- Bi-Tech Electric Ltd.
- Bradley Alexander
- C & D Electric Ltd.
- Canadian Tire
- Cenovus Energy
- Cogent Business Consulting
- Colleen Heidebrecht
- Darren Boren
- Dempsey Laird Trucking
- Donna & Allan Alexander
- Dustin & Amanda Duncan
- Dustin Satre
- Elsie Postey
- Glenn Ziegler CMA Prof Corp.
- Holliday & Company
- Huebner Plumbing & Heating
- JAMS Family
- Kevin & Doris Aasen
- Lloyd & Sandra Montgomery
- M & R Machines
- Marcel & Linda Dauvin
- Matrix Solutions
- Maureen Clay
- Minard's Leisure World
- NBA Enterprises Inc.
- New Age Electronics
- Pat & Beatrice Johnstone
- Pat Maloney
- Peavey Mart
- R.P. Automotive
- RD Family Memorial Chapel
- RM of Fillmore
- RM of Scott
- Rotary Club of Weyburn
- SaskTel
- SaskTel TelCare Employee Charity Trust
- Sidewinder Coil Services Inc.
- SK Auto Recyclers Association Inc.
- Southern Glass Works Ltd.
- Stans Perogies
- Viola & Norman Flaten
- Weyburn Antique Auto Club
- Weyburn Co-op Assocation
- Weyburn Crocus Guild
- Weyburn Eye Care
- Weyburn Junior High School - students
- Weyburn Security Ltd.
- Woodley Well Services Inc.