(L-R) Weyburn Habitat for Humanity Steering Committee members Father Gerry Bauche, secretary, John Hulbert, contractor, Ron Evans, fundraiser head, Jannette Tonn, volunteer organizer, Ashley Stradeski, treasurer, Michael Weger, site coordinator/legal, Pam Kwochka, chair of selection committee, Dennis Coutts, CEO of Regina Habitat for Humanity, and Winston Bailey, chair.

Residents learned more last night about the first Habitat for Humanity project being built in Weyburn.

The committee held an open house to answer questions and get people involved. They even announced where the volunteer-built house would be built. Riverwood, the former Souris Valley hospital grounds, was announced as the location for Weyburn's first volunteer-built house, with support from Nicor Development.

"We are very pleased to have Nicor step to the plate and say that they are willing and able to help us with the first lot and we have picked the lot out there, in the Riverwood development, and they will be donating and sponsoring part of this project," announced Chairperson of the Weyburn steering committee Winston Bailey.

The committee is in negotiations with Nicor to determine the price of the lot, which they estimated at $50-60,000 - approximately half the price of the standard local lot. The estimated cost of the total project is $250,000.

A meeting for those wanting to apply for the house to be built in Weyburn will occur in the near future. Criteria includes the family's need - based on finances and the health and safety of their current living conditions, their ability to pay the mortgage while living under $52,000 annual income, and fulfilling the 500-hour "sweat equity" volunteer requirement.

Qualifiers must pay the full value of the house, however will pay an interest-free mortgage.

The local Habitat for Humanity project will be an affiliate of the Regina organization, and CEO Dennis Coutts was on-hand to share his seven-year experience with the group.

Coutts says a Habitat for Humanity project brings the community together, "It gives everybody in this city a chance to do something for somebody they don't know - that's called volunteerism and it's a beautiful thing."

Those wishing to donate or volunteer for the Weyburn Habitat for Humanity project can contact the local office at 306-842-2216 or email habitatweyburn@gmail.com.

Habitat for Humanity began in Regina in 1993. Started officially in Georgia, USA in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built 700,000 homes in 102 countries.

Listen to full interview below:
Winston Bailey:



Regina Habitat for Humanity CEO Dennis Coutts