CONSTRUCTION workers love a beer.
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And those who wrapped up more than four months’ work on the Armstrong Street North shopping strip upgrade on Wednesday tipped down a few.
But in an unusual step, they didn’t buy the beer themselves.
It was Armstrong Street North traders, so pleased with the job done, who bought the amber ales for the team of workers.
Speaking of Wayne Pelchen and his team at W and V Pelchen, Armstrong Street North trader Darrian Todd said the strip of shops’ operators were “blown away” by the workers’ efforts.
“We just couldn’t believe the amazing job this bunch of workers did over the last 16 weeks,” Mr Todd said.
“For 12 hours a day, in the rain, in the wind, no matter the weather, they just didn’t stop.
“They were unbel-
ievable. We were just in awe of them and how hard they worked.”
The traders pooled their money and bought the workers “a few boxes of beer” to reward their effort.
“We just said to them, ‘we have watched you work and how good you have been, so here’s some beer’,” Mr Todd said.
“They were thrilled. I don’t think that happens much.”
The $1-million upgrade attracted criticism earlier this year for the loss of 17 car parks and poor consultation with traders.
But the revamp has seen the City of Ballarat council put in new angle parking, a treed median strip and new bluestone-paved footpaths.