Work on a new piece of social infrastructure to support the growing Armstrong Creek population is set to begin, with the City of Greater Geelong awarding the tender for a new community hub.
Councillors last week awarded the $11.45 million construction contract for the Armstrong Creek West Community Hub to Fairbrother Pty Ltd.
The hub, which will be built on the corner of Unity Drive and Sovereign Drive, will include a kindergarten for 66 children, a three-year-old kinder, an outdoor playground area, Maternal Child Health consulting rooms, a family support consulting room, flexible community spaces, accessible toilets and a kitchenette.
The facility will complement the nearby $595,000 city-funded Mount Duneed Community Shed on Sovereign Drive that is under construction.
Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said the community hub would become a treasured place for Armstrong Creek West residents.
“The pandemic has highlighted just how important it is to have somewhere for the community to make friends, learn skills and receive family support,” she said.
“With the Armstrong Creek area growing at such a rapid rate, the council is committed to delivering vital infrastructure that the community needs.”
Kardinia Ward councillor Ron Nelson said the Armstrong Creek West Community Hub would be a welcoming space for people of all ages.
“I’m excited to see this hub become a reality for Armstrong Creek West because it will create a deeper connection between residents, defending against the isolation that’s been experienced during the pandemic,” Cr Nelson said.
“Council is very proud to contribute $10.7 million to get this worthy project up and running.”
The project also received $2.25 million from the state government, which South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said would help construct a facility that was “very much needed in this rapidly growing area”.
“The Armstrong Creek and Mount Duneed region is a fantastic place to live, work and play, and quality learning and community facilities like this help keep it that way,” he said.
“The services, including a kindergarten, maternal health rooms, family support services and community spaces will be greatly enjoyed by the community.”
The city appointed Perkins Architects to design the facility in 2019, with the new building expected to be have a five-star green star rating for its sustainability for both design and construction.
