Makerspace in Nanaimo recently celebrated its seventh anniversary. The organization has grown to 81 members strong. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

MILESTONE

Nanaimo’s Makerspace celebrates seven years of creating

Apr 1, 2021 | 12:47 PM

NANAIMO — A local group of creators recently celebrated a major milestone

Nanaimo Makerspace had its 7th anniversary on Thursday, April 1, with their space on McGarrigle Rd. home to projects of all types, sizes and disciplines. It’s the same facility the organization has occupied since 2014.

Keith Brown, a Makerspace board member, said the local venue offers a place for a wide array of disciplines.

“The main interest now is woodwork, we have a full suite of tools. There’s a fairly good and growing metal working section. There’s sheet metal cutting and bending equipment, the usual drill presses but one big attractant is a laser cutter which we’ve had for roughly two years.”

The space also offers multiple 3D printers and a CNC machine.

Shorthanded

Clippers fall short hosting Bulldogs

3h ago

off the schedule

BC Ferries preemptively cancels early Saturday sailings

10h ago

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

13h ago

Membership has grown steadily over the seven years, but saw a spike in September 2020. Brown said the group’s 81 members often fall into two categories.

“One being the young guy just starting out who doesn’t have a house or tools yet and the other end of the spectrum, downsizers. People moving into condos from a house, having all these tools but not having any room for them and still wanting to do what they were doing.”

The ongoing pandemic meant Makerspace was unable to hold their typical open house anniversary party either in 2020 or 2021.

Introduction sessions for potential new members are offered every Wednesday.

More information about Nanaimo Makerspace is available on their website.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley