Events Archives | Page 4 of 6 | Sweat Equity – The Grimsby Homebuilding Co-operative 1953

Father Marrocco and fellow priests blessed each of the 14 homes.

Father Marrocco had inspired the co-op movement in Ontario in 1952, through the work of his students at the Institute of Social Action. By 1955 he was visiting […]

The whole gang on the steps

There were different age cohorts within the kid community. The older kids had moved in at age 9 or 10, though most were only 2 or 3. A […]

Bill and Joanne in the neighbourhood

The children of the co-op found endless opportunities for outdoor play – back and front yards when they were younger, but as they grew, the shoreline of the […]

A kids’ world of play

This photo best illustrates why the families studied, built and endured. How poignant that the children are digging together, and how wonderful they have the space and […]

Murray Street Park plaque dedicated to Walter Muise

Walter Muise, an alderman for 13 years, was honoured for his commitment to save the shoreline. 9 years after his death this plaque was erected in Murray Street […]

Lakeview Public School students

Lakeview was aptly named, as Lake Ontario was visible from its front doors. Many of the co-op kids would see one another again at Grimsby Secondary School. Some […]

Expert shingler John Colleary

Although John was a plasterer by trade, he was very good at shingling during the build. And so he was honoured as the King of the Shingleers.

John Blake sings at the Grimsby Archives in 2016 in honour of his co-op friends.

The Grimsby Archives hosted an evening in which their members could hear about the “sweat equity” co-op story and meet some of the original builders. John Blake, who […]

Teamwork was key

Working 30 hours on the co-op site per week, over and above their regular jobs, the builders focused first on grunt work. Eventually, they took on some of […]

North end homes, with the Niagara Escarpment to the south

Within view of both the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, this beautifully situated neighbourhood was aptly named Lakemount Terrace Subdivision. As houses passed inspection, the CMHC would release […]

Sweat equity begins with land clearing

The men were so anxious to begin the building phase, they cleared the land themselves. Later, they would mix their own concrete, haul and lay bricks for basements […]

Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) facing east, 1947

The QEW, built in the late 1930s and upgraded in the late 1940s, had sped up travel from Hamilton to Grimsby, but it was still a 25-minute commute. […]