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Whitehorse Leader,
27 February 2002 Thanks half a million Larissa Ham The Strathdon Community has received a $500,000 boost for its new community centre, due for completion next February. State Community Services Minister Bronwyn Pike visited the Forest Hill aged-care centre to announce the funding last week. The $3.6 million centre is part of a three-stage upgrade of the site, worth $18 million. The centre will host programs from the University of the Third Age, Probus and Life Activities Nunawading. School children and youth groups will also be involved in the centre, which will offer meeting rooms, an Internet cafe,a kiosk, a kitchen and other multi-purpose rooms. Strathdon has raised more than $14 million towards the overall development through philanthropic trusts, government funding, community donations and the centre's own cash reserves. Ms Pike said the centre would help Strathdon become part of the surrounding community. "We put up a lot of walls and barriers in the community," Ms Pike said. "We need to be creative in the way we can break down those walls." Strathdon redevelopment appeal chairman Trevor Nixon said the announcement was tremendous. "It is the sort of thing that really lifts us in what we're doing, and makes us determined to go on." Mr Nixon said. The community centre is part of development stage two. Stage three will include a new activity therapy centre for up to 1500 clients a day. Maxine Miller, from Strathdon's community development office, said they were now focusing on raising the final $4 million needed. "We're trying to get the business community and the City of Whitehorse to help us," Ms Miller said. "We need a lot of support from the business community." Strathdon also hopes to raise money by selling 2000 commemorative pavers for $500 each. The latest funding comes from the State Government's community support fund, raised through electronic gaming machines in hotels. |