Cambridge Community Menzshed finally has a place to call home, thanks to their new lease for the historic Leamington Dairy Factory.
Waipā District Council’s Finance and Corporate Committee granted the lease for the building on 104 Carlyle Street to the local group for a period of five years.
Menzshed is a charitable group that brings local men together to share their skills, stories and work on practical tasks for the community.
The building requires significant maintenance works and will cost $39,834 to bring up to a basic standard. Council has set aside $15,500 for preventative maintenance and the Menzshed will fund raise the remaining $24,334.
Cambridge Community Menzshed secretary, Myles Prebble said it meant a great deal to the group to secure a home after a long 12 months of searching.
“Our members are enthusiastic about this site. It will enable us to provide our services to the wider community and take on local projects.”
Under the new lease, the community group will be responsible for the ongoing upkeep of the building.
Property services manager David Varcoe said it was a win for both the Council and the group.
“The community will benefit from the Menzshed supporting local projects, a heritage building will be maintained, and overtime it will no longer be an eyesore to the community.”
“The upgrades to Carlyle Street will save ratepayers money, by reducing the long-term maintenance costs needed for this property,” Varcoe said.
The works include roof repairs, roller doors, a bench unit, flooring, rubbish removal, plumbing and electricity.
