Like a lot of you I prefer to have my own tools for most tasks.
Given that "hackerspaces" and 3D printer labs seem to have become somewhat acceptable and widespread for people who either can't afford the gear on their own and/or only need it from time to time and/or don't have space in densely populated areas (I find my apartment to be too small and don't have a proper workshop) I can see how something like a communal workshop might be a good thing.
A cross between a gym and school might be the best analogy, somewhere you can pay a membership fee to use any of the gear, part of which covers maintenance and upkeep of the equipment as well as staff and also have extra courses/instruction available on demand for an extra fee. Obviously it might be worthwhile having certifications for certain machines when talking tools as the danger level is significantly higher than gym equipment. I reckon this could be easily be sorted by having the machines run off an RFID user badge.
I personally loved woodworking when I was in school, yet I've never been able to setup my own workshop or do much since then, which I find to be a real shame.
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