Repair Café coming to Black Diamond on Sept. 24

Worn out or broken items can get a new lease on life at an upcoming Repair Café in Black Diamond. 

The Sustainable Black Diamond Advisory Committee is holding the event at the Griffiths Senior Centre, 102 Government Rd., on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Dusty Williams, who volunteers on the committee, said the repair cafe is getting a lot of interest. 

“I’m getting phone calls as far away as Calgary and Airdrie,” Williams said. 

He thinks the idea of fixing things rather than buying new is catching on. 

“People realize that this is what we need to do. We can't keep throwing stuff out,” Williams said. 

During the event, visitors can have items looked at by volunteers who can make simple repairs. 

“We have some volunteers that have been coming for a few years,” Williams said. 

They will be able to fix things like small household items or small pieces of furniture, among other items. 

“We get lots of small things like lamps and stuff,” he said. “If it's easy electrical, like solder, we can do small appliances, blenders, or whatever.” 

“But we also have somebody coming in to do some sewing repairs, and light machine maintenance.” 

People can make their own repairs with guidance from volunteers, or they can drop off an item and pick it up once it is ready. 

Volunteers, who know how to make repairs, are happy to share their knowledge

"We need to be able to pass it along to the next generation," Williams said.

Drop-in visitors are welcome, or appointments can be booked online at https://app.10to8.com/book/kbqrkmnuokyewrytdf/.

Anybody interested in volunteering at the café can email [email protected]. 

Williams said they are always looking for people with an interesting service or skill set.