City of Newcastle has dished up a tasty transformation project to enhance the community's experience of visiting one of the city's most popular parks.
First Light café will open its doors to the public tomorrow after City of Newcastle completed a redevelopment of the former baby health centre in Lambton Park.
City of Newcastle Executive Manager Finance & Property Scott Moore, café operators Corey Park-Pearson, Angelo Luczak and Luke Marshall with City of Newcastle Acting Executive Director Corporate Services Kathleen Hyland and Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley officially cut the ribbon to open First Light café in Lambton Park.
Constructed in the 1940s, the building has been modernised with the support of a $1 million grant through the NSW Government's Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.
City of Newcastle's Acting Executive Director of Corporate Services Kathleen Hyland said it was fantastic to launch a new chapter for this significant building.
"As one of City of Newcastle's premier parks and home of community facilities including the swimming pool, library, sporting fields and manicured gardens, Lambton Park is a cherished community hub for recreation, heritage, community events and activities," Ms Hyland said.
"This building has played an important role in the Lambton community, offering support for generations of young families visiting the baby health centre, before providing opportunities for social connection when it operated as tea rooms.
"Now, we have invested in the revitalisation of this community asset to transform it into an inclusive café space that welcomes and caters for community members of all ages.
"The addition of the large rear deck with ramp access will ensure people with mobility issues can enjoy the leafy outlook, while its location next to the playground, which itself is about to undergo a complete upgrade by City of Newcastle, will make this the perfect destination for families.
"We thank the NSW Government for its investment into this project, which has helped City of Newcastle deliver the first major adaptive reuse of this historic building since its construction more than 80 years ago."
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund project will enhance the experience of parkgoers.
"Lambton Park is a place where people come to spend time together with family, friends and teammates, and this upgraded café makes that experience even better," Mr Kamper said.
"By investing in facilities that support how communities already use their parks, we are ensuring Crown land remains welcoming, inclusive and central to everyday life."
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the NSW Government is focused on delivering practical upgrades that communities can see and use every day.
"This café is exactly why people choose the Hunter - it offers the lifestyle so many are looking for, with strong communities, local character and space to enjoy life," Ms Catley said.
"But lifestyle only works when it's liveable, and that's what we're delivering - investing in the spaces, services and local hubs that make day-to-day life easier and keep communities connected.
"We're making smart use of what's already here, preserving the character and history of the area, while locating this café alongside existing facilities, making it a part of the daily rhythm of the community.
"We're backing local councils with the funding they need to deliver projects that reflect what their communities actually want and need, and today's opening is another example of that."
The upgrade included the installation of a new commercial kitchen, accessible bathroom facilities and the reconfiguration of the building into a more attractive and accessible open plan design.
While remaining sympathetic to the aesthetic of the original building, it also features an outdoor seating area and takeaway window at the front and bi-fold doors opening onto the new rear deck extension.
First Light café is operated by three accomplished names in Newcastle's hospitality scene, Angelo Luczak, Luke Marshall, and Corey Park-Pearson, who said they have been blown away by the community's anticipation for the project.
"We've certainly received a warm welcome from the Lambton community and local business who have been reaching out to us on our social media platforms to wish us well and eagerly anticipate our opening," Mr Luczak said.
"It's also been wonderful to hear from locals who chatted with us through the construction fencing and told us about their history with the building when it was the baby health centre.
"Our vision is for First Light to be a welcoming space for the community to gather, and we look forward to adding to the vibrancy of Lambton."
First Light café will open its doors to the public from 7am on Wednesday 22 April.
