Mel Johnson and Luanne Baker-Johnson know one way Yukoners will be able to stay warm next winter.

“You can get hot in winter in our studio,” Baker-Johnson told council Monday night as the couple unveiled plans for their hot-glass studio at Keish Street and Front Street on the former Motorways trucking site.

After purchasing the 1,430-square-metre lot in 2013 when the former Motorways lots went on sale, the pair said they’re ready to reveal more about their plans to build Lumel Studios.

They are continuing to work with city staff to deal with the need for a wider water valve for the line going into their building.

They also emphasized they expect to start building this year and are hoping the city will work with them to deal with the utility issues.

Since purchasing the property, they have done remediation work on the soil to get to the point that they can build.

Both grew up in Whitehorse. After moving away decades ago, they said they’re excited to be back in town with a new business venture that will also give back to the community they were raised in.

A hot-glass studio, Baker-Johnson emphasized, will complement the current arts community without stepping on any toes.

The only other glass-blowing studio is a warm-glass facility in Carcross, which differs from the hot-glass blowing she and Johnson will be doing.

As Johnson explained, there are three aspects they plan to focus on at the studio, including making it a community facility, education and tourism.

The facility, they stressed, will be for everyone in Whitehorse.

“This is our dream,” Baker-Johnson said as she envisioned classes ranging from two hours to two weeks for all skill levels.

She went on to imagine a disenfranchised youth wandering down by the waterfront, coming across the studio and walking in and being introduced to the world of hot-glass blowing.

“It has an opportunity to change lives,” she said of her chosen medium.

Along with classes offered at the studio, Baker-Johnson cited the potential for partnerships with the Yukon School of Visual Art in Dawson City or other groups.

Under questioning later by Coun. Kirk Cameron, Baker-Johnson confirmed there hasn’t been any official partnership confirmation with the school, Yukon College nor the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre.

She explained that would be something further down the road with work on such partnerships likely to happen after the facility opens.

“We think it will really catch on,” Johnson said.

The facility could also help the city, in a small way, deal with the ongoing issues around recycling.

Questioned by Coun. Mike Gladish if the facility could make use of recycled glass, Baker-Johnson was quick to voice her enthusiasm for working with the “marred, bubbly glass.”

She noted the facility will have a small furnace specifically for those working with used glass.

The couple already have all the equipment for the studio. With construction anticipated to begin in late May or early June, they are anticipating opening in the fall and being in production in October.

Council members were quick to express support for the new facility on the waterfront and welcome the couple back to the community.

As Coun. Betty Irwin commented, it will be a “truly unique addition to the arts community.”