Work continues on Timaru's Park Centre and CPIT Aoraki pre-trade builders have stepped up to help out.
It is part of a $500,000 transformation of the former Park Bowling Club in the Timaru Botanical Gardens, launched last June.
Alzheimers South Canterbury is leading the project after it signed a lease with the Timaru District Council following the bowling club's closure.
The aim of the redevelopment is to bring up to a dozen organisations together in a community centre for support groups.
The Park Centre already offers day-care programmes from Monday to Saturday in one area, seminar rooms and a lounge with kitchen.
A garden area with potting shed, a blokes' workshop, reading room, garden plots, a barbecue area and a covered outdoor eating area are planned.
Presbyterian Support South Canterbury has signed on and runs its Enliven programme at the centre.
Alzheimers South Canterbury president Diane Nutsford has been the backbone of the project and was on site last week when more than a dozen CPIT Aoraki pre-trade builders turned up to install aluminum windows at the centre.
Mrs Nutsford said the project was progressing well and it was hoped the interior would be completed by May.
Builder Jason Cadigan co-ordinated the CPIT Aoraki students at the centre on Wednesday last week.
Mr Cadigan said the redevelopment was a combined effort from tradespeople across several sectors.
CPIT Aoraki carpentry tutor Paul Kelliher said the project offered his students good work experience.
- By Al Williams
al.williams@timarucourier.co.nz
