2022 TRU Training house is underway

“The home builders and all of their members have been a big supporter of the Y by working their tails off to get this project, so that the Y can raffle it off and earn funds to keep the Y going in the community,” Colin Reid, CEO at Kamloops YMCA.

The home will overlook Kamloops Lake in Tobiano. Local suppliers and home builders also help to donate materials and offer their expertise, and even scope out some potential future employees.

“Here they see every aspect of the home being built, from the excavation part, putting footings in, doing the foundations. The whole framing, the trusses, you know, to see the whole thing come together, right? That’s huge. For first-year carpentry students, that’s pretty amazing,” said Jere Lorenz, President at the Canadian Home Builders Association.

It’s a full-circle program. Everyone who is putting something into it gets something out of it — but the students are the ones who benefit the most.

“The fact that we get to be on site building the house is loads different and a huge, amazing experience than simply sitting in a classroom reading textbooks or building just a small project,” explained Charcoal Bedard, a TRU construction student working on the house.

“When they leave here to get a job, they know what they’re getting. We’re not in an air-conditioned shop building – we could build the same thing and not poor the concrete – but it gives you that real feel. They know what they’re getting into, which I think makes better students,” said construction instructor Bryce Coombs.

The 2021 Dream Home raised almost $1 million and those funds help keep the Y alive.

“Gives us an opportunity to impact lives, to enhance lives, and in some cases – to save lives,” added Reid.

by Amandalina Letterio

2022 TRU Training house is underway

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