The City of Greater Bendigo is developing plans to upgrade the Strathdale Community Centre in Crook Street into a more flexible, multi-purpose community hub and is now seeking community comment on a draft concept floorplan to guide the future development of the facility.
The draft concept floorplan features flexible activity and co-working spaces, improved accessibility, potential for a future café along with storage and kitchen facilities.
City of Greater Bendigo Community Partnerships Manager Andie West said the redevelopment will enable the City to meet changing community needs, improve the building's indoor/outdoor flow with the surrounding park, complement other neighbouring facilities and help to create a more financially and environmentally sustainable building for the future.
"The centre is a highly used and valued community facility that is used by over 30 community organisations," Ms West said.
"It was built in the 1970's by the former Shire of Strathfieldsaye with the large hall a later addition in 1985. The centre became the property of the City of Greater Bendigo following the Victorian Council amalgamations in 1994.
"This project was identified as a community priority through a broad consultation process, which indicated the current building was tired and no longer meeting community needs or expectations due to outdated design and failing infrastructure.
"By upgrading the existing building, the City will be responding to growing community need for flexible, multi-purpose spaces that can be used for a range of community activities.
"Community hubs are important for community wellbeing because they enable people to connect with one another and service providers and participate in events and other activities. They are also a cost-effective way of providing community activity spaces and services.
"The City is now calling on residents to have their say on the concept floorplan. We are keen to know what they like about the concept floorplan, how the proposed upgrades will support community needs, if there are ways the design could be improved and if they have any concerns about the project."
The project is currently unfunded and will require funding to be sourced from government grants and future Council budget allocations. It is anticipated that construction works would be staged over a number of years
Residents can view the draft concept floorplan and provide their feedback on the City's Let's Talk webpage at https://letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/ by Friday October 8, 2021.
