Neighbours, members elated at Kingdom Hall’s opening

The members of the shiny new Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall are happy and neighbours are definitely happy with the new Grimsby facility officially opening its doors last Saturday.

“It was all done with volunteer labour and donated materials,” said congregation elder Kevin Downes, noting work started Sept. 8, 2014 and the first meeting was held in December.

“It was a 13-week build.”

The Grimsby facility will be home to three congregations, Grimsby, Beamsville and Smithville – about 360 total members, said Downes.

Previously, the congregation had its home on Mountain Street Grimsby for the last 60 years, so a move to a new neighbourhood is a big deal.

“We have talked to all the neighbours. They are very happy we are here. They hated the idea of high density townhouses being built next door, so they are very pleased to have us here,” said Downes.

And why not?

The grounds are large and beautifully landscaped.

“All the landscaping was started on a Tuesday and done by the following Friday.

We had volunteers from all over southern Ontario. We have a large volunteer base who just help with building,” said Downes, adding the public is welcome to visit see the facility.

He noted that a good way for someone who would like more general information about what Jehovah’s Witnesses offer would be to check the organizations’s jw.org

“They can see right there the kind of work we do,” said Downes.

There is information for kids, young couples, you name it.”