This one could be worth checking out...
http://saskatoon.kijiji.ca/c-housing-co ... Z258618177
$1000, 1350sqft, overhead door.
Starting Small
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Tetragrammatron
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:40 pm
- Location: Saskatoon
- Contact:
Re: Starting Small
Not sure which building it is, but it looks like a nice area:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=S7L+6A8&ie ... 56.51,,0,5
Swing the camera around to get a look.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=S7L+6A8&ie ... 56.51,,0,5
Swing the camera around to get a look.
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JamesCooper
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:46 pm
Re: Starting Small
I agree that we'll need to start small. It's a catch-22; we'll be hard pressed to get members until we have a space, but we can't afford much of a space until we have many members. We'll also need to scale up our space as we get more members, but it's unreasonable to start renting a large space right away until we have enough membership fees to support it.
I'd say start with the smallest space that can provide for the majority of uses (electronics, basic woodworking, etc.). We may have to forgo some of the more space-intensive things (vehicles, large woodworking and metalworking tools) for now, but at least a reasonable number of people will be able to get started and we can start bringing in members. Think of it as tackling one market before expanding into new markets.
I don't think 352 sq. ft. would be enough to get more than a few people in there; 1350 sq. ft. seems more reasonable, if we can afford it and if it is suitable (will we have power, water, washrooms, etc?). At $1000, we would need 20 paying members just for the rent; I assume utilities aren't included. This might be too much to start with, but I guess we'll see. If nothing else, we already have enough capital to try it out at that price.
I suggest we wait until our initial membership sign-up is complete before we grab a space. Once we know how many devoted, paying members there currently are, we can pick a space that will accommodate them (with a bit of extra room for new members). Depending on how quickly interest grows, we may end up moving to a new place sooner rather than later, but it's better that than be stuck with a big space and nobody to pay for it.
Anybody have reasonable estimates for how much room we would need? How often would people be there and how much room would each need while they are there? Ryan, Bergo: perhaps we can look at how many people could reasonably work in your shops and extrapolate from there. We could also start by considering what types of stations we would expect to have and how much room each would need. Perhaps say everyone who is there gets an 8ft workbench and, given an estimate of how many people will be there at peak times, figure out how many workbenches we would need.
I'd say start with the smallest space that can provide for the majority of uses (electronics, basic woodworking, etc.). We may have to forgo some of the more space-intensive things (vehicles, large woodworking and metalworking tools) for now, but at least a reasonable number of people will be able to get started and we can start bringing in members. Think of it as tackling one market before expanding into new markets.
I don't think 352 sq. ft. would be enough to get more than a few people in there; 1350 sq. ft. seems more reasonable, if we can afford it and if it is suitable (will we have power, water, washrooms, etc?). At $1000, we would need 20 paying members just for the rent; I assume utilities aren't included. This might be too much to start with, but I guess we'll see. If nothing else, we already have enough capital to try it out at that price.
I suggest we wait until our initial membership sign-up is complete before we grab a space. Once we know how many devoted, paying members there currently are, we can pick a space that will accommodate them (with a bit of extra room for new members). Depending on how quickly interest grows, we may end up moving to a new place sooner rather than later, but it's better that than be stuck with a big space and nobody to pay for it.
Anybody have reasonable estimates for how much room we would need? How often would people be there and how much room would each need while they are there? Ryan, Bergo: perhaps we can look at how many people could reasonably work in your shops and extrapolate from there. We could also start by considering what types of stations we would expect to have and how much room each would need. Perhaps say everyone who is there gets an 8ft workbench and, given an estimate of how many people will be there at peak times, figure out how many workbenches we would need.
Re: Starting Small
Workspace needed varies wildly with the type of activity being done.
On that note, go fill out the space usage poll! viewtopic.php?f=2&t=131
On that note, go fill out the space usage poll! viewtopic.php?f=2&t=131
Re: Starting Small
Posted this in IRC but thought I would share here...
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/C/0/ ... EE56AF.pdf
"1,200 SF with small ofi ce and open shop with overhead door"
$1112/month (including occupancy cost)
http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/C/0/ ... EE56AF.pdf
"1,200 SF with small ofi ce and open shop with overhead door"
$1112/month (including occupancy cost)
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thesaxmachine
- Posts: 233
- Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:31 pm
Re: Starting Small
My two cents:Kaldonis wrote: For example, we're obviously not going to be doing any work on our cars in that space, so potential members who primarily want to do that may not join.
If you are looking for a place to work on your car, the techworks space would not be an appropriate venue. If you are looking for a place to make you a custom part to put on/in your car, then you're in business. I will be blunt about this, using the space as an auto garage does not really follow our mission statement. If the only reason is that it is too cold outside to work on your car in the winter, I say man up. I've worked on my truck in -30°C.
Re: Starting Small
+1thesaxmachine wrote: My two cents:
If you are looking for a place to work on your car, the techworks space would not be an appropriate venue. If you are looking for a place to make you a custom part to put on/in your car, then you're in business. I will be blunt about this, using the space as an auto garage does not really follow our mission statement. If the only reason is that it is too cold outside to work on your car in the winter, I say man up. I've worked on my truck in -30°C.
There are places in town which rent out garage space for that sort of thing, however.(U Wrench-it, I think it's called?)