Water First to set up operations hub
Water First has purchased a commercial property on Francis Street East to address the changing nature of its operations, requiring less office space and more space to manage equipment.
John Millar, executive director and founder of Water First Education and Training Inc., said with more people working remotely, the office space on Mill Street is no longer the right kind of space for the organization so Water First is investing in a Creemore property to set up an ‘operations hub’ which will provide vital space for equipment coordination, distribution and storage, as well as vehicle and boat parking, office space, and stability for the organization.
Water First is a registered Canadian charity that works in partnership with Indigenous communities to address water challenges through education, training and meaningful collaboration. It has experienced significant growth since it was established in 2009 as a small charitable nonprofit organization based Millar’s Creemore home. Water First now has a staff of more than 30 and has collaborated with 60 Indigenous communities, supporting Indigenous youth and young adults to pursue careers in water science.
Millar said the hand-on nature of their programs require a lot of equipment that then has to be loaded and transported to bodies of water, along with various teaching aids that are transported to the partner Indigenous schools.
He said the added benefit is that the office is vacating a retail space and the new site will provide more parking for employees when they are at the hub.
Millar said the move solidifies Water First’s commitment to remaining in Creemore, where it intends to be for a long time to come.
Water First will be launching a capital campaign to raise funds for plans to expand at the new site, including renovations and a separate equipment building.
The building is currently home to Creemore Veterinary Services. Veterinarian Jason Durish has sold the property and is continuing with his large animal care practice, but on a smaller scale.
Visit www.waterfirst.ngo.
SBGAR photo: The 0.78-acre property at 8 Francis St. E., the current home of Creemore Veterinary Services, has been purchased by Water First to serve as a new operations hub.
