One of the aims of the YMCA building is to provide a permanent home for the museum’s bookshop, kiosk and ticket sales. For many years these have been based out of temporary units; most notably R1 1933 acting as our bookshop since 1990. Recently, funds have become available thanks to donations from members, that allows us to construct the long awaited bookshop/kiosk on the ground floor as a self-contained unit. Thank you to those who made this possible.
May 2020
During the last week of May 2020 half the ground floor level of the YMCA building was cleared and then levelled.
June 2020
On Thursday 4th of June, contractors set up the reinforcing mesh and formwork and on Friday the 5th, the floor slab was poured.
On 27th June, the back half of the wall was spray painted black. This has the added benefit of obscuring copper pipes from view; lowering risk of theft.
February 2021
Saturday 20th February saw a temporary wall erected to seal off the future shop area. This has been created from timbers donated by Greg Sutherland. Corrugated sheeting is to be applied on the external side shortly.
August 2023
Significant donations have allowed us to construct a facsimile heritage facade for the ground floor shops. Our heritage carpenter Mick Kinsella has already begun constructing faux door frames, window sills and walls.
November – December 2023
Mick has installed the large and small window frames, as well as exterior beading underneath the sills.
January 2024
Faux door frames have been erected in the end facades. A first coat of paint has also been applied to the timber work.
February 2024
On 7th February, Mick installed the centre entry/exit doors.
Some of the workshop crew have assisted Mick with installing the large window panes.
March 2024
Stained glass windows have begun to be installed in the upper window panes. The cost of these has been provided by donations from a member.
April 2024
Contractors have rendered the brick wall at the southern end of the shop. This is will be painted in the near future.
May 2024
Interior panelling around the facade is being erected. Front facing panels on the columns will only be installed temporarily at this stage until electrical conduits and water pipes are put in. The majority of stained glass has been put in, however several panes are still to be delivered from overseas.
June-July 2024
Mick has painted the front half of the shop black to match the previously painted back half. A wall and door has also been constructed to seperate a future storage space.
September 2024
Mick has begun to construct cabinets for the sales counter. Electrical wiring and water pipes have previously been installed.
November 2024
The final stained glass window panes have been put in place, resulting in the exterior completion of the facade.
February 2025
The first part of the new counter has been erected in the shop. New cabinets to fit on the inside are in the process of fabrication.
April 2025
Manufacture of the second section of the shop counter is complete and installed, with the final result looking nothing short of exquisite.
May 2025
Assembly of storage cupboards is complete. Only painting and handle installation is still required.
June 2025
4th June
Mick Kinsella has painted the walls in cream, which already shows a remarkable difference in appearance. Skirtings and beadings are to be painted white.
11th-14th June
Rapid progress has been made erecting the interior northern wall.
July 2025
New kitchen sink and counter bench top have been installed. Cables denote future power outlets for coffee, pie warmer, etc.
August 2025
More works have been carried out to the window bay counter. The bench top has been extended to the wall, and power outlets have been installed on the backsplash.
October 2025
4th October
A new storage cupboard, draws and space for the new microwave have been manufactured.
Cabling in the storage room continues to be tidied up with the installation of new conduits.
25th October
New heritage-style pendant lamps have been installed on the celling; two LED light globes have already been tested in a set of lamps above the counter. Emergency light boxes have also been installed; these are still to be connected.
January 2026
7th January
The full set of pendant lights are now installed and connected. Also seen is the new air-conditioning unit installed by contractors prior to Christmas plus our new drinks fridge and ice cream freezer.
Power outlets have been installed at the south end for the new fridge and freezer.
17th January
The new ice cream freezer and drinks fridge have been moved into position and connected to the power supply.
21st January
New shelving has been purchased and assembled, with a trial fitting of assorted stock to determine the best layout of merchandise.
28th January
Contractors have installed blinds on all shopfront windows. There has also been the recent delivery of a new countertop cake display fridge, microwave and storage fridge.
31st January
Contractors have extended fire sprinklers into the new shop. Progress continues on connecting them to our current sprinkler system.
