They’re pretty well the best parents ever, according to Daniel Mandryk.

The 22-year-old is just one of nine children Bob and Crystal Mandryk have had living in their split-level home on Guisachan—four of their own, five they’ve adopted. All nine live in 1,000-square-feet of living space, excluding the small basement, and, according to Daniel, the house itself could be a cardboard box and they’d all still want to live there thanks to his parents.

“They don’t like to say it, but I think they’re pretty much the best parents ever. They raise a family as a family. There’s always a place to come home to where you’re well-loved,” he said.

Whether that means there’s a place to lay your head at night has been another matter, though.

Until yesterday, bunk beds were standard fare in the living room and eating lunch at indoor picnic tables was par for the course under the Mandryk roof.

But today a group of local contractors is trying to create some space for the family that just seems to grow and grow.

The aim is to have this big brood decking the halls of a brand new home by Christmas, just like they do on the popular show Extreme Home Makeover. The house will have enough bedrooms for the kids, 2,500-square feet of living space and a fully enclosed basement and should be up within a three month timeframe

“It will be faster than today’s standards, but not as fast as in television,”said Paul Benson of Borebank Ventures, the company spearheading the affair.

The venture is called Project Family Room, as the Mandryks had originally approached Borebank trying to get a modest family room built; Bob and Crystal were sleeping in the current one.

But faced with a family crammed into such tight quarters, including a half a dozen teens and two toddlers, the company knew the tiny room wouldn’t do.

Borebank decided to act as general contractor and they put out feelers looking for others to contribute; it didn’t take long for another 44 local companies to sign on.

“Some of these guys are donating hours and hours of their time,” said Greg Harris, Borebank Ventures.

A local firm, Spincaster, kicked in a website, www.projectfamilyroom.org, where anyone interested in helping out can make a donation and the community can follow their progress.

The Mandryks have children with cerebral palsy and friends with children who have mobility issues as well, so the home will be fully accessible.

Neighbour Mel Wright has a son who is wheelchair bound and can’t wait for the couple’s new home to be built. Since his son made the move to his chair, they haven’t been able to visit family.

He’s hoping the contractors will open a whole new door for their friendship as well.