• Blockhouse School is the central and first project undertaken by the umbrella organization, South Shore Social Ventures Co-operative Ltd. or SSSVC for short. This is a not-for-profit organization and its purpose is to hold abandoned properties while growing the means to re-use them in energy efficient, sustainable ways. In other words, we recycle properties and make them useful for future generations.

• Under the umbrella of South Shore Social Ventures Co-op Ltd. (SSSVC), a Business and Employment Co-op, or BEC for short, will be the “for profit” arm. It will be run by a board of directors.

• The purpose of the Business and Employment Co-op (BEC) is to carry out the renovation, permaculture landscaping, systems development, and educational and cultural programming – our objectives for the Blockhouse property. As a “green” business incubation centre, the BEC will support existing “green” businesses, businesses working toward sustainability, and the creation and support of new sustainable enterprises. We see it evolving into a revenue generating, community enriching asset.

• As the central “showpiece”, the old Blockhouse Elementary School will be retrofitted with composting toilets (partially replacing a problematic septic system), solar power, straw bale buildings and productive gardens and greenhouses. Rooms will be rented for production and showcasing of local green businesses, at the same time as other building areas will be used for courses, a timeshare commercial kitchen, workshops, events, meeting space and cultural presentations.

• The entire venture – SSSVC (not-for-profit adopter and “green” developer of buildings) enfolding the BEC (for-profit business ventures) – is open-ended and creative. It is also inclusive, welcoming anyone in the community who is interested. With the addition of new members, we expect some methods to change as we incorporate ideas and knowledge, even as the central character of the vision remains constant. In diversity is innovation, respect, and more than the sum of our parts.

[Large-scale PDF of proposed site plan at right]

• We are actively seeking members for both co-op organizations and hope you will consider joining. Shortly, members will be able to join online by going to the web site, and using PayPal or a credit card. The new board of Directors for the SSSVC, as of January 2012, are: David Cameron and Paul Pickering – Co-Chairmen, Maureen Lewis as Secretary/Treasurer, Heather Holm as Communications Director and Meredith Bell as Membership Director.

• Invaluable in creating this venture has been the cooperation and role of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL). As well, the Waldorf School has provided valued expertise in the consensus method of resolving issues. Despite existing on a shoestring, the school has also been a model of financial responsibility. We intend to follow that example.

• Our financial model is based on the principles of partnership, with varied sources of revenue, core self-sufficiency and service. We intend to develop a broad base of funding sources, with the project relying more and more on earnings over time, as expenses decrease with the maturing of self-sustaining systems.

• In 2007 the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) created an impressive “Sustainability Plan”. Huge time and effort was put into this study, which was adopted in 2010. In addition, MODL has generated an agreement with the province on sustainability goals for the area to be implemented by 2014. Our venture fits neatly into their prototype. (Here is the MODL Sustainability Plan in PDF, if you wish to read it.) Our thanks to MODL for leading the way.

• We are only beginning. We need much expertise and enthusiasm. Beginnings have so much creativity and energy! If you don’t have expertise, bring your hope and encouragement, bring a friend, talk about us … This is the way word spreads in our community. We invite you to be part of shaping of a vital community venture! Warmth, hope, engagement and generosity work wonders.

Back to top of page