"It's a great relief that it has finally happened," he said.
More than four years ago, following the establishments of other Men's Sheds around the country, Mr McArthur and other Alexandra men decided they, too, should have one.
A year ago, they bought a building but could not secure any land to put it. It was bound for a site on Boundary Rd but nearby residents made submissions to the Central Otago District Council against the it. The building was then temporarily placed on what is now a construction site where Alexandra's new community house is being built.
In November, the Vincent Community Board offered a site next to the bike park in Alexandra's Molyneux Park for five years.
The shed was opened on Saturday by Community Board chairwoman Clair Higginson who said it had been an emotional process for the men and the board.
"We're very happy to have the abilities of the group so we can all share in their knowledge."
Representatives from the Taieri and Wanaka Men's Sheds were also there to see the Alexandra shed opened.
The idea behind the shed was to have somewhere older men, mostly retired, could go to work on personal and community projects, but also to build relationships and to share skills.
Bob Biggart, of the Taieri Men's Shed, said it helped men get out of the house, have a purpose and feel important which could "change their whole mindset".
About 20 men were involved in the Alexandra Men's Shed and they had about 10 community projects lined up. Last year, among other things, they helped build Blossom Festival floats.
The shed would normally run all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they were planning an open day.
