Construction has begun on a long-awaited replacement community centre for one of Geelong’s most disadvantaged areas.
Ward councillor Anthony Aitken acknowledged the community’s “patience” after waiting “many years” for the Rosewall Community Hub when he attended the construction launch at Corio on Tuesday.
City Hall will spend $3.8 million building the hub immediately behind Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre, without funding from other levels of government.
Activities at the Sharland Rd neighbourhood centre will transfer to the hub after its completion, which City Hall has scheduled for early 2019.
“We (council) thank the community for their patience with this project, which has seen many years pass since the original vision to redevelop this important asset in the north,” Cr Aitken said.
“Thanks also to the committee of management and coordinators past and present, who have all worked tirelessly to reach this milestone today.
“We (council) are proud to be able to fully fund this important community project, working closely with the Corio community to ensure we build a facility that is tailored to their needs.”
The hub’s facilities would boost the “wonderful services” of the neighbourhood centre, Cr Aitken said.
“The new facilities will be modern, appealing and multi-purpose to cater for a diverse range of age groups and interests. The new space will provide opportunities for greater social connections within the local community.”
City Hall said the hub’s facilities’ would include including office space, small and large activity rooms, a pottery room and kiln, a hospitality-training kitchen, outdoor decks and a large break-out space for “informal and formal gatherings”.
