Anne Stairs

Men’s Shed Lac Brome is part of a thriving global movement: over 150 Sheds across Canada, and more than 3,000 in 15 countries. But what exactly is a Men’s Shed?

According to Men’s Shed Canada,

“A Men’s Shed is a group of men who get together in their community to develop new skills, discover new interests, and make new friends.”

Robert Elhen, president and the driving force behind the Lac Brome Shed, puts it simply:

“It’s about breaking isolation and loneliness by bringing people together through activities, courses, and hands-on workshops like computers and cabinetmaking.”

Weekly Gatherings & Workshop Projects

Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., members gather for coffee and conversation at the Tennis Club or Community Centre. Afterward, they head to the woodworking barn on Mont Echo Road to work on personal or group projects—everything from cabinetmaking to repairs—with a bagged lunch in hand.

The barn is a fully equipped woodworking shop. Members can collaborate “father/son-style” with friends or family, or simply tinker on their own projects with support from others.

Giving Back to the Community

Men’s Shed Lac Brome is also making a big impact locally:

• Replacing garden boxes at Knowlton Academy
• Refurbishing canoes for summer camps
• Building bat houses and bird boxes
• Staining the gazebo at Coldbrook Park
• Creating signage for the town’s summer art project
• Selling handmade cutting boards and phone/business card holders at the Knowlton Market

Coming Soon: The Repair Café

Got a small mechanical, electrical, or computer issue? Soon, you’ll be able to bring it to the Men’s Shed Repair Café and work side-by-side with a team member to troubleshoot and fix it.

Looking for Support

With almost 50 active members and a growing list of community projects, the Shed is looking for help—especially with admin. Robert Elhen is currently putting in over 40 hours a week and needs backup for day-to-day organization and logistics.

Director Tim Goforth loves the Shed’s creativity and reach, but notes that more hands are needed to manage its growing impact.

Interested in Joining or Helping Out?

Send an email to:
📧 info@lacbromemensshed.org