Today we’d like to introduce you to William Strika.
William, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The Roswell Firelabs Makerspace was founded in 2018 but was an idea that started several years before. We are a dedicated community of volunteer makers, teachers, and lifelong learners throughout Roswell and surrounding locales providing affordable access to tools, workspaces, and classes with an emphasis on technology, science, and art.
Located in an old City of Roswell Fire Station on Holcomb Bridge Road, our makerspace hosts 4,200+ sq. ft. of workshop and classroom space ideal for woodworking, 3D printing, sewing, electronics, HAM radio, glass crafts, sculpture, and much more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the largest challenges has been dealing with Covid-19 and it’s impact on the community. Less than two years since opening our bay doors, we were forced to close – for months at a time. Even now, we’re still phasing in the reopening process. Luckily, we were still able to help our members and the surrounding area. We partnered with Atlanta Beats COVID, to produce and distribute PPE to medical professionals throughout the Atlanta area. This has included over 5,000 face shields made from 3D-printed parts and laser-cut plastic as well as ear protectors.
We are so appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community that we saw during this time. People reached out to us through social media and our website with offers to donate materials or funds for the project or to print parts on their personal 3D printers. We were even able set up a no-contact system so that volunteers could pick up kits, assemble face shields, and return them to a drop-off area at the space so they could be sanitized and distributed. Of course, we couldn’t have done it without the other makerspaces involved in ABC: Geekspace Gwinnett, Decatur Makers, and The Maker Station in Marietta.
Roswell Firelabs Makerspace – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are incredibly proud of the diverse interests represented in our space, such as: wood, metal, and glass working, scrapbooking, gaming, automotives, HAM radio, and 3D printing. It’s amazing to see what happens when our members collaborate across interest areas. We’ve had members come together to make lamps with stained glass shades, 3D-printed miniatures for tabletop gaming, and our award-winning Youth Day parade floats involving animatronics.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It would have to be our efforts with Covid-19.
Pricing:
- Individual memberships are $50/months
- Family memberships are $80/month
Contact Info:
- Address: 1601 Holcomb Bridge Road
- Website: https://roswellfirelabs.org/
- Email: info@roswellfirelabs.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roswellfirelabs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoswellFireLabs/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/roswellfirelabs
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
