Cramped and crowded woodworking sessions will be a thing of the past for the group, which had until now, all but given up on its hopes for a new facility.

TRESCA Community Centre co-ordinator Rhonda Legg spent four years behind the project and is still dancing for joy with the latest news.

``I was gobsmacked,'' Ms Legg said.

``I got the letter in my office thinking `here's the knock-back' but I opened it and there was the approval.

``I was dancing down the corridor and went in to see the guys and said `here it is' _ they were very quiet, I think they're in shock that we've actually got the money.''

Planning permits from the council are already in place and the group is now working on a building permit for the shed _ which will be almost 10 times bigger than the current structure.

``It's eight by 18 metres, they're not going to know themselves in there,'' Ms Legg said.

``It will also allow us to expand our services immensely _ more equipment, more people, even a day when we have women to go in and be tutored on woodwork _ there are a lot of long-term ambitions for the shed.''

The days of the group huddling into a corner for lunches will be long gone.

A toilet, kitchen, a fridge for drinks, a kettle, table, chairs and more are among the latest plans for the much-awaited work space.

``Hopefully we'll have a big party when it's built and a grand opening with everyone invited,'' Ms Legg said.