Facility Planning

By Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner, February 3, 2025 Affordable housing is a term that has been in the news for many years now. Saskatchewan has a shortage of housing options, especially for the most vulnerable people in the province. Many SARC Members provide alternative housing opportunities that fall outside the CLSD funding model. These […]

by Porcupine Opportunities Program Inc. Porcupine Opportunities Program Inc. (POP) is celebrating its 50th year of operation in 2024. As we reflected on this, we felt it was important to recognize the individuals that helped to make the organization a success over the last 5 decades and to recognize some of the key milestones over […]

by Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner, June 11, 2024 In January 2024 Saskatchewan adopted the most recent version of the National Building Code (NBC 2020). The NBC is updated every 5 years and the Government of Saskatchewan has committed to adopting the NBC within 2 years of the latest revision. Expect NBC 2025 to be […]

by Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner, November 11, 2023 Navigating the world of building and accessibility codes can be very confusing, especially when the codes are applied to residential homes where people experiencing disability live. What is required, when does this code apply, and how do we know if we are compliant with newer accessibility […]

Moving Forward Together  National AccessAbility Week (#NAAW2022), May 29 to June 4, 2022 The theme for National AccessAbility Week is “moving forward together”. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians experiencing disability and promote efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion in Canada. Learn more about National AccessAbility Week.  While we still have […]

by Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner On January 1, 2022, the new Construction Codes Act (CC Act) and Building Code Regulations (BCR) came into effect in Saskatchewan. The CC Act replaces the Unified Building and Accessibility Standards (UBAS) Act and regulations. It’s important to note, however, that many of the changes in the new CC […]

National AccessAbility Week May 30 – June 5 Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner The Government of Canada has declared the last week in May (starting with the last Sunday in May) National AccessAbility Week. The goal is to promote accessibility and inclusion across our country and through our communities. “We all benefit from a society […]

by Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner How Do You Know What the Right Type of Furniture Is? Choosing the right furniture for your group home is not an easy decision. Durability and price point are often the deciding factors when buying furniture. Something that can stand the rigors of group home living on a limited […]

By SARC Facility Planner, Don Epp During my time as Facility Planner with SARC, I have had the good fortune to visit many of the group homes in the province. One question that I have often been asked during my visits is, “What can I do with the unfinished basement?” Bare concrete walls, exposed floor […]

By Don Epp, SARC Facility Planner Taking an Opportunity to Perform Some Overdue Tasks  During the Covid-19 pandemic, many organizations are closing their buildings to help slow the transmission of the coronavirus. Social-distancing is the new normal and the protection and safety of the clients and staff who would normally occupy these buildings is the highest priority for community-based organizations.  While your […]