Families and children in Ballarat's west are reaping the rewards of a new and improved kindergarten facility in Lucas.
The Lucas Community Hub Expansion project was officially opened on Thursday, with Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett and City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Hargreaves cutting the ribbon on the upgraded facility.
The expansion includes a new 33-place kindergarten room, enhanced outdoor play areas, a reconfigured foyer for improved accessibility, and additional amenities such as a staff planning room, laundry, and storage facilities.
The State Government contributed $1.5 million to the project via Building Blocks Capacity Grants Program, with the City of Ballarat contributing a further $134,603.
The extra room means there are now three separate kindergarten rooms at the community hub, with the ability to welcome 99 children at one time.
The popularity of the kindergarten services at Lucas has grown dramatically in recent years.
In its first year of operation in 2020, there were 32 enrolments in three-year-old kindergarten and 92 in four-year old kindergarten. Now, there are 95 enrolments in three-year-old kindergarten and 126 in four-year old kindergarten.
Enrolments are still being taken for 2026 via the City of Ballarat kindergarten webpage. Kindergarten is free for everyone attending participating programs.
Cr Hargreaves said the project reflected the City of Ballarat's commitment to supporting families in Ballarat's expanding western suburbs.
"Since the Lucas Community Hub first opened in 2016, the local population has grown an extraordinary amount, so our services need to grow to match that," she said.
"This expansion ensures we continue to provide high-quality, accessible early years services close to home, helping children in Lucas and surrounding areas to be 'school ready'.
"We know this is one of the most multicultural areas of Ballarat and this new facility has proved of great benefit to many families."
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said the new facility would provide an enormous boost for families.
"The expanded Lucas Community Hub will give almost 100 local kids the best start in life, with bigger and better kindergarten rooms to learn and play in," she said.
"It will also mean more savings for Lucas families of up to $2,600 per child with free kinder."
The project has also included the relocation and enhancement of the Lucas Community Garden, which features a kids' gardening area, sensory zone, and additional fruit trees, further enriching the community space.
The expanded hub, located at 17 Coltman Plaza, Lucas, continues to offer a range of services including maternal and child health, immunisation services, a library kiosk, and rooms for hire, serving as a vital community resource for the growing population.
The official completion of the new kindergarten space follows last month's announcement of $750,000 in funding from the State Government, in addition to $1.5 million from the City of Ballarat, for an expansion and upgrade of the Brown Hill Kindergarten.
