Lacey MakerSpace unveils expansion, celebrates collaboration, innovation

Lacey MakerSpace celebrated its recent expansion and now provides more cutting-edge resources for both workforce development and hobbyists, such as various 3-D printing systems, fabric arts, metalworking, and woodworking. 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on March 27, garnered enthusiasm and appreciation from around 80 attendees representing various sectors of the community.

Some 80 people gathered at Lacey MakerSpace on March 27, 2024 to commemorate the expansion of the facility.

Lacey MakerSpace is a community workshop providing access to equipment and training in how to use it. Located on the campus of St. Martin’s University, the facility opened in 2019 with 3,200 square feet. This expansion took over the rest of the 8,000 square foot building it shared with the university’s facilities department

Lacey Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller expressed gratitude towards the collaborative efforts that have propelled Lacey MakerSpace's growth. 

“This expansion marks an exciting milestone in our community and highlights the power of collaboration, innovation, and the need to create spaces for the makers in our community and beyond,” said Miller.

According to Miller, Lacey MakerSpace was also awarded a $1-million Congressionally Directed Spending grant championed by Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Marilyn Strickland for more expansion.

Since 2019, Lacey has invested just over $1.1 million to secure, expand, and operate the MakerSpace as well as purchase initial equipment, shared Miller, adding that the city invested $300,000 for the expansion.

Miller also reported that in 2021, Lacey secured a $1-million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration for additional state-of-the-art manufacturing and prototyping equipment such as 3D printers, water jets, and fiber lasers.

“These grants are a clear recognition of the importance of the Lacey MakerSpace as a driver of economic development and technological advancement in our region,” says Miller.

The Deputy Mayor also highlighted the importance of federal support and acknowledged the pivotal role of partners like St. Martin’s University and the Thurston County Economic Development Council.

“I am confident that MakerSpace will continue to thrive as a hub of innovation and opportunity for generations to come,” said Miller.

The sentiment of collaboration echoed through the words of Interim Co-President Roy Heynderickx, who hailed MakerSpace as a beacon of collaboration. 

“This is truly a community asset,” said Heynderickx. “Hopefully, in the future, wonderful things will happen here.”

Heynderickx emphasized the vast potential it holds for fostering creativity and engagement, underscoring MakerSpace’s comprehensive set of tools and resources.

Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston Economic Development Council, lauded the MakerSpace as a cornerstone of community progress, emphasizing its role in nurturing talent, fostering technological innovation, and promoting inclusivity.

Cade urged the community to embrace and support this vital resource, recognizing its significance not only locally but on a statewide scale.

Tom Boucher spoke at the dedication of Lacey MakerSpace's new facilities.

A place for 'geeks'

The event also featured reflections from individuals like Tom Boucher, an army veteran and Department of Ecology retiree. 

Bouchet, now a volunteer trainer at Lacey MakerSpace, shared his journey from industry to retirement and newfound passion for technology and creativity. 

“Now that I'm retired, I get to be a full-time geek,” said Bouchet. “If you're a kid and you come here and you see machining done, you'll be amazed at people's ingenuity and the precision and the artistry that Americans can bring to manufacturing right here.”

“It's a place where people, geeks can just wander in,” he added.

Memberships are available

Membership is open to anyone aged 12 and up. Standard memberships are $50/month, discounted to $30/month for tribal, military and students.

“The way we keep memberships low is that we do charge ‘machine time’ on individual pieces of equipment and the rates are based on maintenance and consumable costs for each piece (anywhere from .50 cents to $1 per minute, depending on the equipment),” according to Lacey MakerSpace Director Michelle Pope.

A little-known free trial is available to Timberland Regional Library cardholders. Interested?  Check out a one-month basic membership from any of the five branches in Olympia, Tumwater or Lacey. 

Lacey MakerSpace is also looking for volunteers and instructors in various categories.

This is Zaverl Hall on the campus of Saint Martin's University, home of Lacey MakerSpace.