The new Oxley Vale Lifelong Learning Centre is one step closer with the state government announcing it will commit $3.4 million to construct the new facility.
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The centre will be build on vacant land east of the Douglas Vale Historical Homestead on the Oxley Highway.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said it would be designed to meet the specific needs of two groups - the Port Macquarie Arts and Craft Centre and the Hasting's Men's Shed.
Community-run organisations like men's sheds and art and craft groups have important wellbeing and health benefits, primarily for our seniors and retired residents in regional and rural areas.
- Leslie Williams
The new men's shed building will include an open plan workshop, metal room, paint rooms, office space, kitchen, meeting rooms and parking.
Dennis Woods from the Hastings Men's Shed described the funding announcement as a "dream come true".
The group is currently housed in a rental premise in the industrial area.
The Port Macquarie Arts and Craft Centre said their new facility will include six new artists' studios to accommodate a range of creative disciplines including woodwork, pottery, sculpture and leather work.
President Mavourna Collits said it had been a "long battle" to get this far.
"We have been working on this since 2004," she said.
"Practically it will mean we will have work spaces that are designed for the people working in them - a proper pottery room, a proper art studio where artists actually have lighting."
The Port Macquarie Arts and Craft Centre had previously lost members like the Porcelain Painters because their building was too dusty.
"They are coming back because they will have their own clean space because the potters, the silver smiths will all have their own dedicated spaces."
Heather Chettle said it would allow the Port Macquarie Arts and Craft Centre to conduct night classes and cater for people who work during the day.
"At the moment we have a lot of working people who can't participate because our old building isn't safe at night."
No timeline has been announced for when the Oxley Vale Lifelong Learning Centre will be completed.
