On Saturday 5th April the ‘new’ Lodge rooms at our Manawatu Masonic Centre underwent the dedication ceremony – The afternoon was hosted by the oldest Freemasons NZ Lodge meeting at the complex, Freemasons Lodge Manawatu Kilwinning 47-Palmerston North, and attended by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, MWBro. Jim Watt.
Five Freemasons New Zealand Lodges (The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47, Lodge Pa-Ka-Ma No. 319, Lodge Rangitāne No. 369, The Research Lodge of Ruapehu No. 444, Lodge Wharite No. 451), one United Grand Lodge of England Lodge (The United Manawatu Lodge No. 1721 EC, the oldest Masonic Lodge in the city est. 1877) and a range of other masonic orders, including the Manawatū Chapter of the Royal Arch, all meet at the new complex.
The Manawatū Masonic Centre marks the first time in the 148 years of Freemasonry in Palmerston North that all Palmerston North Lodges have met at the same complex, after moving from both the Church Road and Fitzherbert Masonic Centres two years ago.
When you reach the landing you walk into a spacious room, where you can place your case in readiness to wear your regalia. There is a room with a glass wall for viewing items of historic interest, not yet filled but in time will be. There will also be glass-covered display cabinets for various regalia that have links to the brethren of the Manawatu.
There is a comfortable room for committee meetings, with all mod cons and a large television screen with an internet connection.
The refectory is light and airy, with the capability to seat one hundred comfortably. The kitchen is decked out with the latest industrial appliances, with a separate wash up room next door. There is plenty of cabinetry all around with able space for storage, each lodge and chapter having its own area.
Then we enter the large double doors into the lodge room itself. Not as big as Fitzherbert but adequate for lodge meetings, and at last, there is air conditioning for winter and summer. The colour hits you as soon as you go through the doors, the vibrant reds, oranges, blues, and warm walls. The lighting is perfect with the LED solid-state lighting picking out the features around the room. The Warden’s chairs and pedestals are every bit as splendid as the Master’s position, the furniture fits perfectly, the colour of the older wood, is highlighted by lighting. There are still some minor items to finish, the curtains for the windows, the knockers on the door, and TV screens, but these will be completed soon.
It is an impossible task to please everyone all the time but judging from today the reaction received. VW Bro. Shadbolt, Grand Superintendent of Works and architect/project manager for the project has hit the mark, well actually knocked it out of the park as far as we are concerned. From the positive feedback I received, especially from three of our newest masons, this is the start of an exciting era.
I cannot express how pleased I am that this vision has become a reality, for many hours have been put in by many to ensure this happened, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Upward on onward.