The President of Steinbach Chamber of Commerce says because of significant growth in recent years, they may be looking for a larger office to call home.
Christine Beaumont says their team today is a collaboration between the Chamber, Eastman Immigrant Services (EIS) and the Steinbach Economic Development Corporation. She notes about 10 years ago the Chamber and EIS had about 10 staff combined. Today, there are about 26 staff between those two groups. In addition, there is now one staff member for economic development.
"So the entire team, as a group between the three organizations has grown quite a bit, putting pressure on our office space," notes Beaumont.
As a result, Steinbach Chamber of Commerce is considering renovating its existing space but is also entertaining the possibility of relocating to a new space. In order to explore a relocation, the Chamber has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an office space lease.
According to the Chamber, the purpose of the RFP is to solicit proposals from candidate organizations, conduct a fair and extensive evaluation based on established criteria, to provide a solution that can support the Chamber's needs, understanding that the Chamber is a not-for-profit, funded by grants and business membership.
"With restrictions during the pandemic, we made our space work," says Beaumont. "But with full programming open, we are currently operating between our Reimer Avenue location and space in the Pat Porter Active Living Centre and we feel the disconnect. The synergy that is built through collaboration between the Chamber, Eastman Immigrant Services, and Steinbach Economic Development Corporation is valuable and we want that to take place under one roof."
Reimer says at 284 Reimer Avenue, they have about 3,900 square feet of space and then at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre they have an additional 1,600 square feet.
The Chamber has identified some of its criteria for the new space, including the fact it must be in a desirable, central location in Steinbach, must have a receptionist desk area with waiting room for four to six people, needs a boardroom to accommodate a table for 16, must have a kitchenette and staff lunchroom, have 12 to 15 closed offices and 12 to 15 open cubicle type workplaces.
"So that's what we're exploring right now is the ability to perhaps lease a different space or if there is a developer willing to build to suit for space that we could occupy," she adds. "What we've done is our board of directors has created a committee that is looking after exploring all options."
Beaumont says if they choose to rather renovate the existing space, it will need to be done without the ability to add on. She notes there is no opportunity to expand their footprint at 284 Reimer Avenue.
The President says an official budget has not yet been approved for this project. However, she notes in the RFP, they are looking at potentially a $100,000 reserve budget to be able to do some lease hold improvements to either the existing space or move into a new space.
Regarding the need for space, "It is really one of the best problems we could have," says Beaumont. "As our business community sought opportunities for growth in various ways over the past few years, so too, has the Chamber. We have an engaged membership, board, committees and staff. We have so much to be thankful for."
Beaumont says proposals will be accepted until 4 pm on August 18.