Coosan Men's Shed members stress need for bigger premises
Members of Coosan Men's Shed have stressed the urgent need to relocate to a more sizeable working premises.
Based in the grounds of St Kieran's Community Centre, the members currently work from a portakabin shed, but say the space restriction is detrimental to a growth in membership numbers and curtailing the group's ambitions for expansion in the community.
Two previous planning bids for a extensive two-storey community, social and learning centre on the St Kieran's Community Centre site in Tormey Villas, Athlone, were refused planning permission in 2023 and 2024.
Now, the group is hoping that a revised plan, for a smaller structure, could provide the extra space required.
Formed in 2019, Coosan Men's Shed has attracted a membership of 38 to date with ambitions to grow that number but that is dependent on a move to a more spacious working premises.
The shed is open daily from 9.30am and members meet regularly, enjoying each other's company, but more importantly to work on projects which ultimately benefit the local community.
Both David Callinan and Joe Faherty have been long serving members of the group and are hoping that by the end of the year, they will have the benefit of a new premises in which to work and take on "bigger projects".
"We open the portakabin doors early each morning and members come and go as they please. We are here for the benefit of the community and each member brings a unique skillset to the group," David said.
The group aims to submit a planning application for a more sizeable shed (12m x 6m) on the grounds of St Kieran's Community Centre and hope to see their plans come to fruition by the end of 2025.
"Due to space constraints we have to carry out the vast majority of our projects in the outdoors. However, as you can imagine, this is not ideal when the weather is not good and hampers our progress," David said.
Moving to a more sizeable premises would allow the group to have a "bigger presence in the community," Joe added.
While the members undertake in-house projects such as carpentry, crafting and horticulture in their on-site polytunnel, they also have spread their tentacles further afield assisting numerous projects in the community.
"Local organisations and community groups reach out to our group and we are able to assist with any requests they may have. We have helped out with numerous odd jobs in community centres, nursing homes, local schools and the Athlone branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association," David said.
Maintaining a presence in the community is essential to the members of Coosan Men's Shed. The group regularly receives queries from men living in towns such as Roscommon and Ballinasloe, all of whom are seeking to become members, but such a scenario "is simply not possible at the moment".
"We simply need a bigger space to allow us grow. A new shed will allow us to spread our wings even further into the community. We will then be able to attract new members who could possibly bring new skillsets to the group and allow us to take on bigger projects which would benefit the community," Joe said.
A new premises would allow the group to host workshop presentations on site and continue to raise the profile of Coosan Men's Shed in the community.
Apart from the project aspect of Coosan Men's Shed, members also have the opportunity to form a bond, with numerous friendships forged since 2019.
"Many of our members are now retired and seeking a new outlet in their lives. Being a member here also benefits our mental health. Our oldest member is a nursing home resident and we bring him to our shed as often as we can so he can feel a part of the group," Joe said.
The group has previously received grant funding towards their Men's Shed initiatives but ultimately their goal is to have a bigger space in which to do their project work.
"This is such a huge part of our vision. A proper shed would allow us to welcome more members, take on bigger projects, and do even more for the community we love," both members universally concluded.