The long-awaited ‘MenShed’ is opening this Thursday (May 13).

The MenShed is part of a new shared community workspace on Gordon Road; it has recovered materials and tools where people can get together to repair and make things. 

“It’s been a long time coming, since the foundations of a Blokes Shed were laid back in 2008,” Wanaka Community Workshop (WCW) coordinator Ben Acland said.

“With the Wanaka population doubling since then, and big changes in how we use and dispose of resources, there is a real need in the community for a workshop space where people can come together to make stuff.”

It’s a big job to fundraise and resource the community-led MenShed, but sharing the WCW space makes it possible, Ben said.

Ben Acland and Gwilym Griffith-Jones registered the Wanaka Community Workshop Trust as a charitable trust last year.

The WCW’s founding principles describe the workshop as a space where multiple groups can use shared tools and materials to make, repair, and create. 

The space will be available to use for a range of activities.

See also: Community workshop on track

Ben hopes the MenShed will be a way to share both resources and connections. 

“...We are now looking for people in the community to come and get involved with making - not only things, but new friends and connections too,” he said.

Current MenShed projects include building ‘Lilliput Libraries,’ (weatherproof boxes which are free community libraries) and fitting out two 40 foot containers with shelving for Te Kākano Trust.

Thursday’s open day will run from 9am-12pm with tea, coffee and biscuits and the first opportunity to check out the space.

“The first order of business on opening day is a nice cuppa and a biscuit, and I hope to see lots of people come to check out the workshop space and get involved,” said Ben. 

In the future, the MenShed will operate on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (9am-12pm), and people can come and work on their own, or on community projects. 

The concept for the Wanaka Community Workshop, located at 15 Gordon Road, is to bring people together in a way which builds a resilient community, retaining knowledge and reducing waste.

Learn more about it here.

PHOTO: Supplied