Making space in Vernon

Photo: Contributed

Bryan Wilson wants to make space for everyone.

Wilson is helping to create a maker space facility in the community and he is inviting people to the Vernon Library tonight from 6:30-8 p.m. to learn more about the concept.

Wilson said there are groups in town doing everything from robotics to programming to arts projects, but there is not one space where everyone can get together and collaborate on their projects.

Wilson is part of a loosely based committee that is hoping to change that.

Experts and volunteers would teach others how to do certain tasks.

The question is: what does the community want?

Wilson said the meeting tonight will collect public input on what that space will look like and what sort of things it would incorporate.

“We're starting with youth and then we are doing another one with adults in the fall,” said Wilson.

At tonight's meeting, Wilson said he will be providing some electronics so children can “rip apart TVs, PVRs, computers, play around with motherboards, hard drives and stuff and really just get into it."

“I've been told by lots of students that their parents are like, 'Don't you dare touch that' when they are talking about the computer or some gadget, so they never get to peel it apart. For me, that is the beginning step for students exploring technology in general.”

Wilson said from there they will talk about coding, programming, video production and a wealth of other topics.

Tonight's meeting is geared towards children but will be open to all ages.