Amberley Menzshed are celebrating a significant milestone in their journey to a new home after the Hurunui South Ward committee approved the final site plan at last week’s meeting.
The Menzshed hope to be on their new site next to the BMX track at the Amberley Domain by the end of the year as their current arrangement expires on 1 January 2026.
Chair Lindsay Moir said members have been fundraising for several years to achieve their vision of having their own building with enough space for equipment, future expansion and parking – and visibility to the community they serve.
“At the moment, we’re just another sign on the motorway as you’re going past at 100km/h.”
This week’s approval of the site plan is a step closer to a lease being signed between the Menzshed and Hurunui District Council. This will allow the group to apply for additional grant funding to complete a new build on the new site, after delays resulted in an opportunity being lost to acquire a relocatable building.
Mayor Marie Black acknowledged the Menzshed’s contribution to the community over the past 10 years and offered to support an application for grant funding for the extra building costs. Recent projects undertaken by the group include landscaping and site development at the MainPower Amberley Pool, volunteering their services at the recent Amberley Repair Cafés, building a large picnic table for a local reserve, helping with the renovation of the Chamberlain Park aviary, rebuilding the benches for the Balcairn Hall, and more. The group hopes to undertake work with young people by offering a space for hands-on project work while continuing to support local events.
Having greater visibility to the community would create new connections, Moir says.
“Once we are on the new site and have a physical presence, more people will be aware of us.”
The new building will be visible from Lawcocks Road, with the Menz Shed looking forward to utilising the skills they volunteer to the community to enhancing their new building and site to maximum appeal.
