Construction has officially begun on a new community facility to house Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed with the Mayor of Port Stephens, Bruce MacKenzie, turning the first sod of work today.

 The 655 square metre building will be built in the south-east corner of Boomerang Park, alongside the existing Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Centre and Raymond Terrace Before and After School Care.

 An access road to the facility will also be constructed via the existing car park for the Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Centre off Irrawang Street.

 The plans were unanimously approved subject to rigorous conditions of consent by Port Stephens Council at its meeting on 10 May 2016, and are consistent with the Boomerang Park Landscape Master Plan and the Boomerang Park Plan of Management.

 Mayor of Port Stephens, Bruce MacKenzie, said the long-awaited community facility would be a fantastic asset not only for Raymond Terrace, but Port Stephens as a whole.

 “The rapid growth in membership of the Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed to 135 people is testament to how much this facility is needed,” he said.

 “The Men’s Shed movement provides a wonderful service particularly to retired men, offering them an outlet to be productive and to continue to make a contribution to the community through a range of activities.

 “Quite simply, the Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed has grown to such a scale that it requires a custom-built facility not only to continue its current work, but to expand.

 “As well as woodworking, metalworking and assembly facilities, the new centre will have space for other pursuits such as computers.

 “It will be a wonderful addition to the community facilities already in Raymond Terrace and particularly in that location in the bottom corner of Boomerang Park and right next to the Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Centre.

 “I’m looking forward to seeing the new building complete and an official opening when the Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed moves in early next year.”