Our Woodwork Shop is an exceptionally well equipped facility located in the Manchester Industrial area.
In 2000, the DI initiated the Woodwork Shop Training Program. Our primary goal is to teach our students the necessary skill-sets to find meaningful work and to become self-sufficient. To achieve this we teach life-skills alongside with core carpentry skills such as safety in a workshop, what it means to be an employee, and how to work safely with the equipment.
Over the years the DI’s Woodwork Shop participants have received invitations to exhibit at the Calgary Home & Garden Show and the Calgary Home & Interior’s Show. We have recently finished contracts as diverse as building a simple blanket box to designing, building and installing a complex wall to wall, floor to ceiling bookshelf unit.
Over its ten years of operation, the Woodwork Shop has built a reputation for excellence; in our relationships, the craftsmanship of our products and the quality of our people. Our exquisitely crafted custom designed pieces find their place in homes throughout the city and area, while our graduates find their place in society with a skill-set and work ethic unparalleled by others in the woodwork training sector.
We teach the ethics of being a person of worth by teaching individuals how to build better furniture. Our students become skilled woodworkers who take pride in the quality of their work. From planning to design, through production and installation, every step is built on the foundation of excellence we instill in every one of our students and every product we craft.
Our Products
Our innovative, custom made products are built and sourced locally using superior materials. Made to last a lifetime, our careful attention and fastidious approach to every detail means we stand behind all our products to ensure all our products stand the test of time.
Our Team
Our Woodwork Shop is managed by a team of experienced craftsmen, who bring a combined 80+ years of excellence to their craft. Their careers range from working with single family home builders to artisan shops, where one of a kind pieces were built to meet a client’s unique needs. They have each experienced the challenges of owner-managed woodshops and bring a wealth of knowledge to the shop floor that they willingly share with the students. We boast a teacher student ratio of two students per cabinetmaker which benefits participants and customers equally.
What We Do
We specialize in custom applications ranging from blanket boxes to wall to wall, floor to ceiling installations. We also do custom design work to fit a client’s unique space, budget and vision. We always enjoy a challenge and so does our team. Give us a call. We’d love the opportunity to build the cabinet of your dreams.
I am looking for someone who could make a bathroom vanity for us and am wondering if you might be able to help us out? I can provide measurements and discuss design ideas and price if you think this might be a project you could take on. Thanks!
Hi Caroline. Thanks for your interest! I’ve forwarded your message on to our staff at the Woodwork Shop. Someone will reply to you shortly.
Hi! I have a broken wooden slider chair. i would like to have a new one made using the broken one as a pattern. I don’t think any of the wood is reusable but who knows. certainly not me. Please let me know if you can take this on. Thank you.
Dona
Thanks Dona! I’ve sent your correspondence to Tom at the Woodwork Shop. He will get back to you shortly.
I am wondering if I could get an estimated cost for 50 birdhouses to be built out of recycled building material. We will provide the material. We simply need someone to cut and assemble our material.
Thank you
Michele
Hi Michele. I’ve sent your correspondence to Tom at the Woodwork Shop. He will get back to you soon. Thanks for your interest.
I need to have an oak floor sanded and would like to find out if anybody there has experience in installing custom oak floors. Can you assist with either of these projects?
Please get back to me ASAP.
Thanks!
Hi Bridget,
I’ve forwarded you message to Tom and the Woodwork Shop. He’s get back to you shortly. Thanks for your interest.
Tim
Hello,
I have an Victorian couch and chair set that need to be re-upholstered. They are both tufted at the back area. Do you have anyone that can do them? Also, I am looking for someone to make a seating/storage bench, for under my living room window. Could you please let me know if either of these projects are doable and an estimate of the cost.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Sue
Hi there – i’m wondering if there are any opportunities to volunteer in the CDI woodworking shop? I enjoy furniture making (though I don’t have a ton of experience – 1 chair & 1 table) and I’m curious whether you have any volunteer opportunities that might compliment your shop and my desire to learn?
Thanks,
Leanne
Hi Leanne, I would be more then pleased to speak with you about volunteer opportunities. Please call or email me in the Volunteer Office. My email is JordanH@thedi.ca. My telephone number is 403-699-8277. Thank you for supporting the DI!
Hi There,
We are attempting to update our kitchen and I’m wondering if your team is able to build a fairly large kitchen island with open shelving & closed storage?
thanks for your time,
jen
Hi Jen,
I’ve forwarded your message on to Tom at the Woodwork Shop. He’ll get back to you shortly with a quote. Thanks for your interest.
Tim Gorman
Hello there,
How do I apply and get involved in the Woodwork Shop Training Program?
Hi Michael — please give the Casual Labour Office a call @ 403-263-6217 and ask for Don. He’ll help you get the process started.