And as fast as they were knocking things down, and pulling things out, the tradies were going flat out to put up the new fittings and fixtures.
The exciting news is this is just stage one of a three-part redevelopment of the community hub.
Even better, this stage was cost free, with O’Brien Plumbing, CED Group and D&B Civil donating their time and all materials for this first part of a project to create a versatile work and community precinct.
CCH manager Rob Foran said he had been overwhelmed by the “genuine community spirit” of the businesses involved.
Rob said the proposal for a major remake of the house’s backyard started out of a Fairley Leadership connection – he had been on a course with C4EM chief executive Jayden Howe.
“And it was an initiative by Jayden which started to pull all this together and it’s going to be fantastic when it is finished,” he said.
“The work today was to gut the large shed we have at the back and reline it, and install an airconditioning system ahead of summer.
“It will give us a great space for our art and craft programs – and anything messier than usual – because right now we have just the one common area for everything, including as an activity room.”
Jayden said stage two of the project – which is dependent on funding applications going through the process now – will install a full access toilet, followed by stage three, which will extend the shed’s roofline to create a covered barbecue and seating area.
“Today is a brilliant example of a regional town working together to lend others a helping hand – as well as O’Brien’s, CED Group and D&B Civil there has been a bucket of support from service groups such as Rotary and Apex,” Jayden explained.
“There are a lot of service groups and businesses working hand in hand here and everyone wins.”
O’Brien Plumbing’s Clayton Zanella, who was recently part of a much bigger project doing the major upgrade of a school in Nadi, Fiji, said he and his team, and the other businesses involved, were more than happy to give up a Saturday morning for such a good cause.
Clayton said neighbourhood houses are community assets which serve diverse client bases and by helping them deliver a better service was well worth missing a Saturday off.
“This is a brilliant initiative by everyone involved and O’Brien is proud to be part of it.”
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