Participants of Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society programming assisted in an indoor ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of their new location last Wednesday. Deputy mayor, Jason Whiting, to the right of executive director Michelle Neufeld in the back row, helped to steady the scissors. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Wide open, bright and cheery.
That describes the new location of the Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society at 103- 4090 41 St. on the Saskatchewan side of the city and the organization’s grand opening on a sunny, March 20.
“We are really excited to have everyone come out and check out our location,” said Labis’ executive director, Michelle Neufeld with party balloons everywhere.
“We’re happy to have everyone come and check us out and see exactly where their proceeds and funding comes right back in the community and supports needs in the community.”
Labis provides free recreational, educational and social programming for brain injury survivors in the community, many of them enjoying the celebration with invited guests.
Acting deputy mayor, Jason Whiting was on hand for the ribbon cutting and offered his first impression of the new space.
“At first glance, it’s cleaner, it’s wider, it’s lighter, it’s much nicer. What a great move for them to be over in this area,” said Whiting.
The new location, in the same building as the Lloydminster and District Co-op office, has 3,000 sq. ft. of space with lots of room to expand services and programs for those with brain injuries.
Neufeld says it was time to move out of their old cramped location on 44 St. after 23 years.
“We’ve been working for this many years. This past fall, something like this had come up over here and we had approached the Co-op and checked out the space and it couldn’t be more of a perfect fit for us,” she said.
Neufeld says the Co-op has been “a fantastic help” as a landlord in guiding the transition for their three-person staff and clients, including the addition of offices.
“We have been here for six months. It’s been going great. Everyone’s made the transition fantastic. We are loving the brightness, the safe area. It’s such a peaceful feeling we get over here at this location,” she said.
Neufeld notes with their new Labis logo and securing the new location from the Co-op “it felt like a refresh and a restart for our organization” which has been in Lloydminster for 38 years.
“We need quiet, we need sunshine. We just somewhere to find some solitude and provide that safe space for our participants who come in here,” said Neufeld.
The space is equipped with a washroom, a kitchenette, a lounge area, offices and a couple of activity areas.
“It’s wide open for us; there’s a lot of light and windows and we have lots of areas to explore around our location,” said Neufeld.
“We have lots of walking paths around us and we’re hoping to have a few more barbecues and things like that.”
Currently, Labis accommodates 15 to 20 people a week who drop by to use their services, including a walking track program at the Servus Sports Centre and an outreach program.
“Labis has been around for a long time and we appreciate all they do in the community,” said Whiting.
“To see them enjoy a new space like this and work hard for it, makes it very exciting for what they are going to do in this new space.”
