Community shed a place for tinkering

A tool-laden shed for do-ityourself men is opening in central Auckland.

The Auckland Central Community Shed is an initiative by the Gribblehirst Community Trust after it bought the lease for the disused Edendale Bowling Club on Sandringham Road.

It becomes the 11th Men’s Shed to pop up in Auckland, with others located in Auckland East, Devonport, Henderson, Hibiscus, Howick, Massey, Manurewa, North Shore, Waiuku and Warkworth.

The Men’s Sheds community, fast becoming popular in New Zealand, brings men together in a community space to share skills, socialise and work on practical tasks individually or as a group.

There are 65 sheds registered in the country.

Located on the bottom floor of the old bowling club, the Central Auckland Community Shed provides a space, tools and machinery for its members.

It has three spaces for electronic, wood and metal works.

The shed is equipped with mostly donated commercial and domestic power tools including a band saw, drill press, nails, hammers and a 3D printer.

Trustee Patrick Harris said the shed served as a hub for people of all ages that wanted to undertake personal projects and be involved in community projects.

He adds it is open to everyone who want to become members, not just men.

‘‘We have a lot of retirees here that feel they still have a lot of their skills and knowledge to offer,’’ Harris said.

‘‘It’s a place where people can interact with others and use their handyman skills, teach others and even learn new ones.’’

He said the woodwork space was the most used section of the shed.

Work was progressing on the electronic and metal work spaces.

‘‘We’d love to have someone with sound knowledge of metal work to join and help set up that space.

‘‘The electronic space will be dust and noise free and will have a 3D printer and computers for whoever wants to use them for their projects.’’

The shed is for members-only but Harris said it was also open for people who were yet to decide if they wanted to join.

Membership for the Central Auckland Community Shed is $100 a year but will increase to $120 after opening.

It opens on March 4.