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CITY OF LANGFORD AND WEST SHORE DEVELOPERS HOST DONOR RECOGNITION EVENT AT THE FORGE

(Langford, B.C.) – Today, donors, trades leaders, and community representatives gathered at The Forge in Langford to celebrate the growing regional momentum behind a first-of-its-kind hub of connection, healing, and support for tradespeople.

Hosted jointly by the City of Langford and the West Shore Developers Association (WSDA), the event recognised early donors and showcased visible progress at the 2775 Spencer Road facility. The gathering marked an important milestone in advancing the project and in building continued regional support to bring The Forge fully to life.

“It’s incredible to see how far this project has come in such a short time,” said Scott Goodmanson, Mayor of Langford. “When we first committed our support, we wanted to send a clear message to tradespeople that their well-being matters. Today, standing in front of this space that’s transforming before our eyes, that message feels stronger than ever. Now it’s about finishing the job together so the doors can open as soon as possible.”

To date, more than half of the region’s municipalities have stepped forward to match the initial $5,000 donations made by the WSDA and the City of Langford earlier this year. Together with private and industry contributions, more than $200,000 in funding and in-kind support has now been raised toward The Forge’s $500,000 goal. This growing support demonstrates a shared recognition of the mental health challenges facing trades workers and the urgent need for a dedicated, stigma-free space for help and healing.

“This is the trades community doing what it does best:  building something meaningful with their own hands and hearts,” said Ron Coutre, President of the West Shore Developers Association. “We’re grateful to have helped play a small part in getting this started, but the real success will come when the whole community stands behind it. The Forge belongs to everyone who has ever picked up a tool or supported someone who has. Every contribution and every effort will help turn this vision into reality.”

The Forge’s fundraising campaign aims to raise $500,000 to complete facility upgrades, furnishings, and outdoor gathering spaces that will transform the site into a welcoming, peer-driven gathering space for trades workers across Vancouver Island. Unlike a traditional drop-in facility, the Forge will be a professionally supported space focused on connection, education, and recovery. Its purpose is to strengthen the workforce and support individuals already engaged in treatment or returning to work.

The Forge was created in response to the skilled trades’ mental-health and addictions crisis. Developed with input from tradespeople who have lived experience, The Forge will offer free counselling, recovery coaching, peer mentorship, and employment supports designed specifically for those working in construction and related trades.

“We’re incredibly thankful to the donors and partners who believed in this vision from the beginning,” said Mike Manhas, Director of Philanthropy for The Forge. “The trades community has carried a heavy burden in silence for too long. The Forge will change that. Our goal now is to complete the recovery of the property and open the doors to provide free, accessible mental health supports for tradespeople and their families.”

Community support is vital to opening the doors to The Forge as soon as possible. Donations can be made through the Construction Foundation of BC at cfbc.ca/enter-the-forge, with all funds going directly toward infrastructure and readiness costs.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

City of Langford
Harriet D’Costa
Communications Advisor
Cell: 250-661-9346
Email: media@langford.ca