From Raw Potential to a Well-Crafted Hobby/Woodworking Shop

On August 28, 2026, a group of Covenant Village residents and future residents gathered to celebrate the opening of the Covenant Village Hobby and Woodworking Shop, a project more than two years in the making.

When Residents Steve and Mary Trimmer decided to move from their home in Armstrong Park in Gastonia to Covenant Village during the construction of the Stonecrest Villas, they faced a logistical question: What to do with the state-of-the-art woodworking equipment Steve had accumulated and frequently used in his woodworking shop?

After meeting with Covenant Village CEO Dale Melton, the Trimmers decided to explore adding a new amenity to the community they would call home: a Hobby and Woodworking Shop.

This conversation led to the formation of a committee of interested Covenant Village residents and future residents, plus: 

• Multiple meetings,
• Field trips to other retirement communities with similar workshops, 
• Reviewing usage guidelines for workshops, 
• Finding the best possible location at Covenant Village for the shop, 
• Finalizing the design and working with BLUM Construction, 
• Creating an inventory of equipment that would be donated to the workshop by Steve, John Yorrick, and Don Howe, and 
• Confirming financial commitments to support construction of the Shop in a spacious room built specifically for this purpose in the parking deck of the Stonecrest Villas.

Steve explained that safe operation of the equipment and tools in the shop would require training, and some equipment will require a demonstration of proficiency. The Resident Hobby and Woodworking Shop Committee has developed waivers, instructions, and guidelines to assist with this process. The Committee also expects to eventually assist with residents’ projects and be available to demonstrate and train others on how to use specialized equipment, which includes several computer-aided routers, lasers, a 3-D printer, and the computers needed to program them.

Shop access will require a system that allows authorized users to enter after being vetted on equipment use. Additional safeguards include a “key card” system that notifies Security when someone is in the shop, security cameras for safety support, an emergency pull-box, and an eyewash station in the shop’s bathroom.

According to Harvard Health, people with hobbies report better health, more happiness, and fewer symptoms of depression than those without. Engaging in a new hobby or learning a skill boosts overall individual well-being by reducing stress, sharpening the mind, and increasing happiness. Add the opportunity to share an interest and collaborate creatively, and you get a winning combination that fosters an enriching sense of belonging and social connection.