The search is on to find a new home for the Men’s Shed in Merimbula after being told the property will be sold off.
We can reveal the Anglican Church, who owns the Red Hill Road site, is placing it on the market today after deciding it was surplus to their requirements.
Men’s Shed President Roger Barson said it’s crushing news for their members.
“We say generally, we have about 50 members, normally, but it peaks at 75. Now they’re not there all the time. We probably on a busy day have 20 members busy in the shed,” Mr Barson said.
“There’s only so many machines, there’s only people that only have so much time but we support those people because many of the older members, in particular, turn up for the sausage sizzle once a month,” he said.
“That’s a mental health outing that’s important for us to do. We don’t just exist to play with machines and build things. We exist absolutely to support our members, to provide companionship, to provide useful things for people to do, and an opportunity, to get out of the house, particularly for those who live alone and participate in activities with other members.”
Mr Barson said all attempts to negotiate remaining in place have been rejected.
“We’ve put propositions to them as part of the discussions leading up to now and I must say, they gave us notice that this was happening, he said.
“We’ve talked to them a number of times now in writing as well on proposals that we had as to how things could be rejigged a bit so that we can stay but they have politely responded that’s it is just not possible. It would take too long and be difficult and their need is to sell the land as quickly as they can.”
The members are now madly hoping the new owner allows them to stay or another site can be found.
“Look, it would be nice to be able to stay. It would be ideal and perfect to be able to stay. It would be fantastic if the purchaser, whoever that turn out turns out to be, doesn’t want to do things or wants to do things that will allow us to stay,” Mr Barson said.
“I should mention the community garden as well, which is also under the same problem so that would be great if there were arrangements either now or when the property is sold for the new owner to arrange for us to stay and we’re willing to certainly talk about that.
“That’s uncertain, that’s unknown. So I have to face the fact for my members that the moment the property is for sale. We have no immediate likelihood that we will be able to stay. It may be sold quickly. We maybe need to be out of there in three months. We don’t know.
“So we have to sort of face the worst case and say well, where are we going to go? How can we continue to support our members? Where can we put our equipment? Where can we provide that occupation for them? I’m struggling. I don’t have an answer.”
