THUNDER BAY – A group called the Finlandia Co-operative Thunder Bay has stepped up to save the Finnish Labour Temple, a building they call part of the city's social fabric.
Organizers say it's once again time for the facility to reinvent itself and bring the community back to the hall.
“To that end, we are fundraising with the goal of buying the Finnish Labour Temple and its properties, including Tapiola, and then restructuring them into a multi-stakeholder cooperative - one that is transparent, democratic and run by you, its members,” the group of seven said in a statement emailed to local media on Tuesday morning.
“The co-operative will open the space for more diverse cultural, artistic, historical and educational activities that better reflect the fabric of the community without losing its Finnish roots. It will also encourage collaboration across stakeholder groups in a sustainable and modern way. “
Last week, facing mounting debts of more than $1 million and a threat of bankruptcy after missing biweekly $2,000 mortgage payments to RBC, the Finlandia Association voted to liquidate. The future of the iconic Hoito Restaurant was left up in the air.
“Over 100 years ago, the Finnish immigrant community pulled together its resources during difficult times.They cared about the Finnish immigrant men who worked hard in the bush camps and had no families to come home to in the city, and no home-cooked meals. That is the origin of the name “Hoito” which means both “to care” and to “look after,” the statement said.
“Founded in 1918 as a co-operative, the Hoito successfully navigated the Spanish Flu pandemic, the Great Depression, and other social and economic crises under this ownership model, which ended in 1974.”
The plan is to return to the multi-stakeholder model once again.
The first step is to organize.
On that end, the co-operative, led by Saku Pinta, Heleena Stephens, Paula Haapanen, Anneli Tolvanen, Maria Mantyla, Lyndsay Williams and James Taylor, says it has a broad vision for the Finnish Labour Temple.
“Our vision includes participation from multiple cultural organizations, community and labour groups, and others that together will guide the Finnish Labour Temple through its next 100 years. We want this to be a vibrant, community space, and we would like to see the Hoito return to its cooperative roots.”
The second step is to fundraise.
Williams on the weekend started a $25,000 Go Fund Me. E-transfers, cash or cheque donations can also be made, with more information at the Finlandia Co-Operative Facebook page. More information is available by emailing finlandiacoop.tbay@gmail.com.
