Premises extended

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 25, 18 November 1986, Page 11

Premises extended

A timber and hardware store is extending its premises and expanding its stock to fill a gap left by the recent closure of two similar stores in Ohakune. MSD Speirsin Ayr Street took the first step to double their retail space last week when they moved the timber storage unit from one side of the main building to the other. This will aliow for about 260 sq. metres of additional shop area and covered storage space to be built onto the west face of the existing building. It will also allow for 10 off-street angle-parking spaces for MSDcustomers with access from both Ayr and Rata Streets. Eric Pasquill, MSD Speirs branch manager. said that with the recent demise of FCOS and the transfer of Dalgety Crown's operations to Raetihi, it was apparent Ohakune needed to continue supplying the local building trade and farming community. "We'll be extending both the quantity and range of stock for our customers who are mostly builders, homehandymen and farmers." "We won't be carrying all the needs of the farming community such as fertilisers, sprays etcetera but it'll be mainly items of clothing, wet-weather gear and the like. We won't be carrying any kitchenwear or household items," he said. The new extensions were designed by local architectural draughtsman lan Hutchinson and the drawings were put out for tender to local builders last week. "We are asking only local builders to quote because they've supported us in the past and I believe we should support and encourage local industry in return," said Mr Pasquill. The timber storage unit (pictured) presented a few problems for Waimarino Draglines when they came to shift the building last week. Because it was just that — a timber storage unit — it lacked the usual bracing properties of a fully-framed building with bearers, joists, floorboards etc. The flimsy structure required particularly careful handlingas it was lifted from its original site to its new one only 50 orso metres away. It took Hira and John Parata and their team of helpers about five hours to complete the operation.