Transforming Spaces: A Before and After Journey of Our New Tutoring Space
- Kristy Colby-Pyle
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Creating a dedicated tutoring space can change the way students learn and grow. Phase 1 of our project focused on transforming the back part of our new building, previously an ambulance garage, into a vibrant, functional tutoring area. This post shares the journey through before and after photos, highlights the transformation, and looks ahead to what comes next.
The Starting Point: The Former Ambulance Garage
In Autumn 2025, thanks to strong fundraising efforts and remarkable community support, Phelps was able to purchase the former ambulance building and complete Phase 1 of renovations. This initial phase focused on reimagining the large, open garage space - originally designed to house emergency vehicles - into a welcoming and functional learning environment.
The space featured concrete floors, metal walls, and very limited natural light. While the building was structurally sound, it lacked the warmth, flexibility, and infrastructure required to support tutoring and youth programming.
Key challenges included:
An industrial design with harsh lighting and cold, concrete surfaces that felt uninviting
A wide-open layout with no defined spaces for small-group or one-on-one tutoring
Limited electrical capacity and no built-in infrastructure to support technology use
Poor acoustics that amplified noise and made it difficult for students to focus
Our goal was to create a welcoming, adaptable space that could support diverse learning styles and group sizes. In addition to hosting five nights of weekly programming, the space was envisioned as a hub for community events, and collaboration with other organizations.
The Renovation Process
The renovation focused on making the space inviting and practical. Here are some of the main changes made:
Flooring: Replaced cold concrete with warm, durable carpeting to help with acoustics and provide a warm homey feeling to the space.
Lighting: Garage doors replaced with french windows and energy-efficient lighting installed with adjustable brightness to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Layout: Designed a space with a learning kitchen, two bathrooms (one of which is accessible), and three sensory learning rooms.
Kitchen: A large open teaching kitchen space to facilitate serving healthy snacks at each session and gives space for our flavour lab cooking workshops for teens.
The design and construction teams worked thoughtfully and collaboratively to create a space that truly reflects the needs of our participants. Every detail was considered to balance functionality with warmth, resulting in a space full of character and a sense of hominess that helps people feel safe, welcome, and comfortable from the moment they walk in.
The New Tutoring Space in Action
The transformation has made a noticeable difference. Students and tutors now enjoy a space that feels welcoming and supports learning effectively. The flexible furniture allows quick rearrangement depending on the session’s needs. Natural light from new windows brightens the room, making it more inviting.
Some benefits observed include:
Easier collaboration in group sessions with movable furniture
Improved focus thanks to learning rooms and furniture and decor designed to meet various sensory needs
Better access to technology for interactive learning
A natural flow in the kitchen, facilitating serving snacks at each sessions and providing lots of space for monthly meals and cooking workshops.
The space now reflects our commitment to providing quality educational support in a setting designed for success.
Special Thanks to Our Funders
This project would not have been possible without the generous support of our funders. Their contributions helped us cover construction costs, purchase furniture, and install technology. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:
Foundations, organizations and businesses who contributed greatly to our campaign
Individual donors who believe in our mission
Businesses that provided materials or services at reduced costs
The Stanstead community who came out in full force, organization fundraising events and cheering us on each step of the way.
Their support has created a lasting impact on our students’ learning environment.
For a full list of contributors, visit this page and scroll to the bottom.
What’s Next for Our Building Project
With Phase 1 complete, we are preparing next steps which are planned to take place this Spring/Summer with an official opening in September.
Phase 2 will focus on:
Renovating the front part of the building (the house)
Completing the exterior of the building.
Multi-functional outdoor space: Landscaping, addition of outdoor storage, exterior sports, garden, and seating spaces.
We look forward to continuing this journey and sharing more updates as the project progresses.
Visit our FACEBOOK to check out a video walkthrough of the new space
Comments