I can anticipate that if from the outset you do not see what need your computer programming environment is filling, then the drive to program to solve identified problems in the working or learning environment may not be apparent. My suggestion is to first do a needs assessment to understand the computer programming needs in your environment, then determine whether it is worth spending time and money to set up the lab. On the other hand, once the latter is done, you would find your stakeholders would be anxiously awaiting all your programs that would solve their data-processing and other needs.