Construction continues on Carroll County’s first makerspace
Winter completion seen for first phase of Makers Mill project
Austyn Shea and Rich Frizzell of Milestone Engineering & Construction look over plans for Makers Mill with architect Leslie Benson of Leslie Benson Designs. (Courtesy photo)
Makers Mill, the first dedicated makerspace in Carroll County, is getting closer to opening as renovation work continues on the eagerly awaited facility.
When completed, the facility in Wolfeboro will house a woodshop, metal shop, Fablab, spaces for fiber arts, fine arts, jewelry making, audiovisual and IT equipment as multipurpose studio and meeting spaces.
Josh Arnold, executive director of Maker Mill, said the makerspace will be a place where students, hobbyists and professionals can learn, teach, practice and collaborate around a wide variety of skills and crafts that support personal, professional, and community goals.
Renovations began in the spring, and Phase One is expected to be complete at the end of the year.
“The building is already transforming so fast,” said Arnold. “It seems whenever I walk into the building there is a new wall, or new rough opening for a window or door, or more recently, a new concrete pad poured. It’s truly surreal to watch plans that we have been staring at on paper for the last two years actually taking shape in the building.”
Construction manager of the project is Milestone Engineering & Construction of Concord. Architectural services are being provided by us Simons Architects of Portland, Maine, and Leslie Benson Designs, also of Portland.
Among the other contractors been working on the project are EnviroVantage of Epping, which handled demolition and preparation of the building for rough carpentry, plumbing, electrical and site work. Also, Chestnut and Cape of Northwood worked on rough carpentry and construction of a new second floor, a fire exit stairwell and new window and door rough openings. Sheran’s Concrete of Loudon prepared rebar and forms for new pads required for the elevator pit, front entry and a large section of slab that had to be replaced where the future bathrooms will go. Roadwork is being handled by Eastern Excavation of Westbrook, Maine.
