It’s not surprising that area woodworkers might have been a little anxious waiting for the woodshop at Campbell Community Center to reopen after a month-long closure. They’ve been using it for 42 years and it’s one of only three public woodshops in the metro area. Last year, some 1,700 people used the shop to build everything from cigar-box banjos to a desk for the workshop manager.
Campbell Center held a public “Grand Re-Opening” of the woodshop on Monday, Feb. 2. and in a brief dedication, Recreation programmer Tom Powers pointed out the renovations, including new flooring, equipment upgrades, repair of an inoperative table saw, and the addition of an oscillating sander.
Powers says it was members of Campbell Center Men’s Club who originally advocated for the shop in the early 70s. They lobbied the Parks and Recreation Dept. and struck a deal that was contingent on them providing half the cost of the facility. They paid their share by donating the wiring services, roofing, and all of the original tools.
The shop is dedicated to the belief that people enjoy working with their hands to create items of value and beauty. It is designed to be a warm, safe, well-lighted place in which those of all abilities may pursue woodworking or woodcraft interests. Since it first opened in 1973, operation of the shop has depended on the support of dedicated volunteers, and donated tools and equipment.
The Woodshop is open to all residents, age 18 and older on a drop-in basis, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (the day use fee is $2.). Some of the large tools at the woodshop are: table saws, drill presses, lathes, routers, sanders, joiners, miter saws, and band saws. A free orientation to the woodshop is recommended for first-time users.