By Brendan Rees
Hampton Park’s historic schoolhouse – now revived as a Men’s Shed – is set to receive a facelift after being saved from bulldozers last year.
Restoration works for the 95-year-old timber building will start in October following its relocation from Hampton Park Primary School to Marjorie Eastick Reserve in April at the expense of the Education Department.
Works are set for the extension and restoration of the school building with a new kitchen, store room and accessible toilet to be added, including a heritage-style, all-access entry ramp.
Casey Deputy Mayor Damien Rosario said following a public tender process, the contract for the restoration of the school building had been awarded to construction company Mancon Projects Pty Ltd.
He said preparatory works had been undertaken but the main restoration works would begin next month and be completed in February 2018.
“The Hampton Park Men’s shed is a unique opportunity to bring members of our community together to connect in positive way while preserving an important part of our heritage.”
“This is a fantastic example of council stepping in to provide an essential community facility which would otherwise have been lost forever and to retain Hampton Park’s oldest building for future generations to enjoy,” Mr Rosario said.
Given the building was historical, he said council was now investing to get it up to scratch and retain it as a Men’s Shed, which was “most important.”
“It was just the timing, a bit of luck as well and a lot of hard work but we got a really good result. We’ll be able to retain the building and provide a facility for Hampton Park to be able to use it,” he said.
He said the people who built it were very well-known families in Hampton Park, adding Casey councillor Wayne Smith and himself “jumped in” to ensure the building was not lost forever.
“Councillor Wayne Smith and I worked really hard to get that going and the community was backing it. Their support as well was also heard. It was a really great effort. A lot of people are very excited about this opening.”
“The Men’s Shed will be right next door so if anyone feels sentimental about missing the old schoolhouse they are most welcome to have a look.”
Secretary of the Hampton Park Men’s Shed David Maxwell said the refurbished Men’s Shed would be a “huge milestone” for the community.
“We’ve been waiting to get a Men’s Shed in Hampton Park for eight years. It’s not a big building but it’s good enough for us to get started with and grow within the community,” Mr Maxwell said.
“I’ve got up to 65 members on the books for the team to go in there. Not all of them have signed up of course, but they’ve voiced their interest of the Men’s Shed.”
Currently working out of the community workspace behind Arthur Wren Hall in Hampton Park, Mr Maxwell said the men’s group looked forward to being able to use the historic building seven days a week.
“I will be a dedicated building where they can go down there and socialise and to build hobby toys and things like that for kids.
“We’ve got a lot of equipment ready to go in there. We’re just waiting for the amenties block to be added onto it with new toilets, a bathroom and kitchen and storage area.”
“We’ll be able to do the gardening and make it really nice. It is a historic building and we do appreciate that we’ve got the opportunity of growing in that area.”
“Once we’ve got the Men’s Shed we’ll have a monthly function where people can go there and have a meal and catch-up together.”
