ROLLESTON MEN’S SHED

The Woodwork and Metalwork workshops at the Rolleston Men’s Shed always have projects underway. Besides wood turning and welding, there are also many other items being made or repaired. Currently another batch of laminated breadboards are being made, which will be available for purchasing as a fundraiser for the Shed.

A fence top was recently painted for a Rolleston resident, and a garden seat has been dismantled, repaired, painted, stained and reassembled.

The Shed also repaired a couple of chairs and a garden fertiliser spreader, which needed the axle supports replaced as they had rusted away, for a Rolleston resident.

Bag hangers are being made for schools to replace cast ones that break. The hangers produced by the Shed have steel rods inserted into long lengths of timber which are then screwed to the walls.

Noise can always be a problem, so the Shed has purchased packs of sound dampeners and installed in the tearoom and workshops.

A good yarn and the morning cuppa are still the most important items.

Feel free to drop by for a yarn!

The Shed, situated at 54 Dynes Road, Rolleston is open Saturday, Monday and Wednesday mornings. Visit our website for further information: rolleston.wordpress.com

Sandy (Alex) Ferguson, Rolleston Men’s Shed.

Town Centre Upgrade

A space to gather, play, relax and enjoy nature has been confirmed as the next stage of development in the Rolleston town centre.

The Council has confirmed construction to start on the development of the reserve green space with City Care set to complete the $1.5 million upgrade to the areas to the north and west of the town centre buildings.

An amphitheatre with capacity for 1,000–1,200 people will be built near the sensory space and youth space, to host public events, along with upgrades to the existing fields.

“The amphitheatre will be an important piece in helping make the town centre a centre for the community,” Councillor Phil Dean commented.

“It will be great to have another gathering space where our community can come to mark big events and commemorations, as well as smaller community events. Gathering is an important part of building community and having another central space to do that will be really positive for Rolleston,” Phil concluded. The reserve will feature picnic areas, plantings and pathways to allow people to enjoy a quiet break away from the main town centre retail areas.

“The existing children’s playground will be kept and there will also be a continuation of some of the features in the youth zone with small skate areas branching off some of the pathways with street skate features such as steps, rails and platforms,” Council Major Projects Manager Phillip Millar said.

“It’s an exciting new part of the development, refreshing what was there previously and providing something different again for the town centre. It will be a space to relax, where people can enjoy some green areas, walk, picnic, and play games,” Phillip concluded.

Construction of the green space is due to begin mid-May and is planned to finish in early 2024.