As many will know, we have started to actually build the Banchory Men’s Shed.
“Phase 1”, which is fully funded, is the creation of the Workhop area in what we know as “Garage Bay 1” of the Legion, beneath the ballroom. Initially, this will be what we need it to be as our desired usage becomes clear, with some workshop facilities, but probably also some Social capability – all to be decided, and down to you, the Shedder.
Garage Bay 1 was the garage in which the Legion kept their minibus, so for its new home, it will be moved to Bay 2 or 3. However, the front of Bay 2 is currently bricked up, with garden tools stored behind. What we will be doing is to knock down the Bay 2 blockwork and move the up-and-over door from Bay 1 to Bay 2. This gives garage access to both Bays 2 & 3 for the Legion to site the bus, garden tools etc., as they need to. We will then put our own doors and windows on the front of Bay 1.
These are the basic elements of the build, and some photographs can be seen below
There have been some small complications, but nothing insoluble. Already “fixed” is the fact that behind the block front of Bay 2 used to be some central heating piping which feeds the heaters in the Ballroom above. These would have prevented the up-and-over door mechanism from being fitted, so the piping has been re-routed to give clearance.
There are also some “holes” – three old windows from back when Bay 1 was alone, which are already blocked up inside Bay 2 – and a couple of vent duct and air gaps at the back. All these are next on the list, to be blocked up with matching blockwork.
Also to be done is to fireproof the bare RSJ members in Bay 1, which is a modern building regulation requirement, and all quite normal. This will be done using “Intumescent” paint to give the required 60 minutes fire resistance. However, the up-and-over door is restricting access at present, so we can only do that after the door is moved.
We will be sealing and painting the interior blockwork, and fixing lighting and electrical supplies round the walls, and finally fitting the double-glazed access doors and windows either side. The exact construction sequence has been developing as we come across these various issues.
The Phase 1 “build”, as you can see, is really just a reconfiguration of a number of building features and is a combination of quite limited pieces of work, but we are looking forward to the end result. We’re still waiting to get a better idea of the final completion date, but at present this is looking like August or September.