Update – end of the 2nd week
The builders have completed about 25% of the work, and the build is on target:
Next phase of work is to back-fill the foundations and start building the Phase 2 interior / corridor walls
Quick update: foundations dug out as per plan last week, this week the concrete for the footings is in place and blockwork started, picture is Tuesday 19th Nov, a.m.
Phase 2 footings
On Tuesday 12th November, we started on the build of Phase 2 – the social area.
The final formalities were completed in the preceding days leaving the coast clear for the builders to move in. The first stage is to remove the current undercroft base area and to dig down to provide the new foundations. The slabs were lifted on Tuesday and breaking up the sub cement began, with this continuing on Wednesday. The design of the existing columns now exposed was inspected and construction details agreed, then excavation continued on the Thursday … and we did find granite, as partially expected! The good news is that enough can be removed to meet the architectural requirements of the new base and floor, so one big what-if is settled.
By Friday late morning, progress was good (photo) with the expectation that most of the foundations will be dug out by the evening.
It’s really heartening to see this work started after several years in the making. We’ll keep you updated
Phase 2 under way – from behind the safety barriers!
Saturday 2nd November 2019, the official opening of the Banchory Men’s Shed. After much work over several years by a lot of people, we finally got there, with the opening of the Phase 1 Workshop section.
Firstly, many thanks to all those who have input to the fruition of the Banchory Men’s Shed – the Board of Trustees all the way from from 2015, all the members – present and those sadly passed – the Banchory Legion Scotland, all the donors and supporters from all walks of life, the Scottish Men’s Shed Association, and Bruce McCombie Builders.
Following our opening day, and with the Phase 1 area organised into a combined social area and workshop (until Phase 2 is complete), we held our first social in our new premises on the following Tuesday, with an already increased turn-out.
Here are a few photos of this momentous occasion!
We are hoping to hear imminently about the commencement of the Phase 2 build (see here for how the phasing works) and will update you as soon as things are confirmed.
Banchory Men’s Shed are pleased to announce that the building works for the “Phase 1” Men’s Shed premises (the workshop area) are now complete and open.
We are holding a public opening on
Saturday 2nd November 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
(to 12:00 noon) at the premises under the Banchory Legion in Ramsay Road
Phase 1 area (workshop) – Waiting for the floor paint to dry…
All are invited to come along and see the completed workshop area, view the plans for the Phase 2 building and see the model of the whole Shed premises, together with other relevant exhibits.
Share your ideas on how we can help the local community, consider making donations to help maintain the BMS. Areas of support could include donation of your old unused garden and workshop tools which the BMS will refurbish and sell on – we are considering a home collection service in the near future.
Free tea, coffee and biscuits available
This opening coincides with the Legion’s monthly Book Sale, so please come along and support that as well.
Phase 2 also now fully funded
We can also announce that the “Phase 2” (Social area) fund-raising has reached its target of £57,000, thanks to some very hard work put in. We are now obtaining final confirmatory quotes to enable us to plan the next phase of building work. This will be significantly more extensive than the Phase 1 area and we will update you as this progresses.
Whilst 2nd November is the public opening date, the Men’s Shed has of course been in operation for some time and all are welcome to our social meets every Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. Over the coming weeks, these will move from their previous location upstairs in the Legion to the new workshop area, which will start out in life as a mixed social/workshop space.
An update on Wednesday 7th August.
Phase 1 Premises progress
Things were going well with the build up to the point of trying to get the fireproofing done, back in June/July. The shell of our Shed had exposed metal beams which needed fireproofing to meet current Building Regulations, and that’s where the delay started and why things have seemed a bit quiet. However, after some time and difficulty we managed to get a quote from Holemasters who completed the fireproofing yesterday, 6th Aug. They clad over and sealed the beams, to the necessary fire resistant spec., as can be seen in the photos below.
Only two things remain before we can start moving in – painting and electrics – more below…
Call for Hands – Painting Session – THIS Friday 9th, Saturday 10th August
With the fireproofing finished we can now paint the room with top coat to cover up the “multi-coloured pastel” 😉 base coat, and Buildbase have very kindly donated us the paint to complete this. We’ll have two sessions, both starting at 9 a.m., on Friday and if necessary Saturday, to complete everything ready for the final electrics work.
If you can come along and help, please do – the more hands the quicker.
Once the electrics are done we can finally MOVE IN !!
Phase 2 Funding Boost
On the 29th July, we heard that our application to The Robertson Trust was successful and they have awarded us the sum of £7,000 towards the funds required to complete Phase 2. Phase 2 will see us building to the left of the Phase 1 room, thereby more than tripling the total floor area.
We are very grateful to the Robertson Trust for this award which sees us reach 82% of our funding requirement for Phase 2 and also indebted to Paul Evans who has been the driving engine of our fundraising. Only £10,000 to go 🙂
