The much-loved Riverside Community Activity Centre and Reserve in South Morang has seen a $1 million upgrade, designed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
City of Whittlesea Chief Executive Craig Lloyd was joined by Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio this month to officially mark the redevelopment’s completion.
The project, funded by a $500,000 contribution from council and a matching $500,000 grant from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, was split into two stages.
The first stage saw the refurbishment of the Community Activity Centre, which included the addition of a meeting room, expansion of the centre’s foyer, installation of a kitchenette, and improved acoustics in the community hall to assist people with hearing difficulties.
Access to the external accessible toilet was also enhanced and the centre’s cladding, heating, ventilation, and cooling systems were upgraded.
The installation of electric cooktops, ovens, and hot water systems throughout the building continued council’s shift away from gas appliances as it moves towards net zero emissions.
In the project’s second stage, a new barbecue, public seating, drinking fountain, and bike racks were installed.
Locals can also now access the playground more easily after improvements were made to the timber ramp, including the refurbishment of shelters.
Other works included installation of a concrete path, new precinct maps, and signage and landscaping.
Mr Lloyd said the project was a valuable investment in the community’s health and wellbeing and expressed gratitude to the State Government for its support.
“Community Activity Centres play such an important role in providing vital services to our diverse communities,” he said.
“Ensuring this centre is accessible to people of all ages and abilities means more residents can benefit from those services.
“The Riverside Reserve works build on the major redevelopment undertaken in 2022, which transformed the park into a wonderful place for families to gather.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said the centre was ‘good as new,’ with the help of strong partnerships across levels of government.
“People who live in this community will understand that even though the centre was really well used, it was very tired, and it needed a massive uplift,” she said.
“It’s a well-loved facility, and the community has got so much out of it over the years that’s it’s been here. It was absolutely time for a big refurbishment, and I can’t believe how it’s been transformed, it’s fantastic.”
