Mudgee Lions Club's new home is coming to fruition, with the group looking forward to an official opening in the New Year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new facility - located at the Mudgee Showground - is being fitted out, a stage they've arrived at quicker than earlier anticipated.
"It's getting close to completion and we plan to be in here by the end of January," Les Leisfield said.
Whereas before the Lions had storage, this gives the club a home where they'll meet.
Furthermore, being at the showground, they'll also now have space to host their own events - including their Family Fun Day, which can be held in the grassed area outside with everything they need at hand.
"The family has grown, so we had to upgrade the home," Les said.
"Now we'll have a room that will give us and other not-for-profit organisations somewhere to meet. Plus it gives us the opportunity to hold events, because of the location.
"Until now we've had to cart everything away and cart it all back, whereas here we'll be able to just roll it out. And if we've forgotten anything, it's right here."
At 16m by 9.2m the new storage area could comfortably fit their entire current shed inside. And with four access points - as oppose to one now - it's anticipated that a lot of logistical headaches will be cured.
"At the moment it's a bit like playing Draughts - we've got to move this to get that," Les said.
"So this will be much better for members and for looking after our gear as well, because things can get damaged if it's all on top of each other."
Local Lions recently joined Member for Calare Andrew Gee, for a tour of the facility.
The project received a grant of $20,000 from the Tackling Tough Times Together drought support program, which is managed by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), to help communities access support resources during the drought.
And late last year they also received $16,000 through the Stronger Communities Program.
Along with grants from Mid-Western Regional Council and the Lions organisation, they hit their $80,000 goal - all without diverting funds away from their community projects.
This was an important prerequisite for the project. And at the new location their rent will be reduced, leaving more money to go back into the club's work in the community.
The 2020 opening would be a fitting reward for the Mudgee Lions, who are bringing 2019 to a busy end. Last weekend they held the Twilight Markets, played a part in the Festival of Snags, and in October hosted the District 201N3 Convention.