Cranbrook unites to build home
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Updated: July 22, 2009 7:50 AM
Members of the building community in Cranbrook and other individuals have come together to turn a tragedy into a triumph for one young mother.
Arlene Kirkhope, a widow with two young children, was shocked to find her house was ravaged by mould.
"It started before May long weekend," said Kirkhope. "We started digging around my old house and discovered a huge problem with the foundation."
After finding significant amounts of mould after a bad rainstorm, Kirkhope had the mould analyzed in Calgary. She was told that repairing the damage would be extremely expensive.
"We put up a prayer chain at my friend's church," recalled Kirkhope. "All of sudden, people starting phoning in and offering help, through the prayer chain. It's been great that the whole community has come together. It's just fabulous."
All different types of businesses and community members have helped out by providing supplies and labour.
Kirkhope's original house was torn down on July 2 and after all the debris was hauled off, construction on the new house began on July 6.
"We're taking on this project to help out Arlene Kirkhope," said Jarret Rundrum, of Livingstones Development. "We've really rallied the building community to see how fast we can put a house up."
Rundrum and other volunteer contractors expect to have the house completed on August, after a 30 day turnover.
Kirkhope could not be more pleased. "It's pretty phenomenal actually," said Kirkhope, about the outpouring of help from the community.
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