The City of Whitehorse has officially opened the new Nunawading Community Hub. The hub brings together more than 30 community groups, clubs, and services under one roof.
City of Whitehorse Mayor, Councillor Sharon Ellis said that the new hub has transformed the former Nunawading Primary School site into a brilliant new community facility.
“This is one of Council’s most exciting and ambitious initiatives to date. It will ensure we have quality facilities to support and serve our community for years to come,” said Cr Ellis.
“The Nunawading Community Hub will be the new vibrant heart of Nunawading.
“This is a fantastic place to gather together and strengthen local connections. It’s a place where our residents can benefit from a diverse array of community groups, interests and quality services.
“The hub is the new home of Council’s Meals on Wheels service. It will also be home to a multitude of other community groups, clubs and associations. The groups are well established in our community and have benefitted our residents for years.
“If you are interested in learning a new skill, arts, sports, dance, keeping an active mind and body, crafts or volunteering – there is something at the hub for you.
“There’s also a range of migrant, health, disability, counselling and mental health services. Establishing one hub ensures our local community has access to high-quality support services close to home.”
The hub is a ‘green’ facility and has been put forward to the Green Building Council Australia to receive a 5-star Green Star status. The ecologically-sustainable design features include:
- solar renewable energy for lighting and hot water heating
- rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing
- double insulation in the roof cavity
- double-glazing
- LED lighting
- natural and durable materials, such as timbers and concrete with recycled content.
“A 5-star Green Star building delivers on our commitment to reduce carbon emissions and will reduce our future energy costs.”
“The design and construction teams have done a wonderful job in building an architecturally-striking contemporary building. The building draws in its beautiful parkland surrounds and restoring the heritage school building to its former glory.”
The Nunawading Community Hub is a fully accessible, light-filled multipurpose site that boasts:
- two large, inter-connected studios with wooden sprung floors for dance activities, functions, conferences and other events
- seven multipurpose studios for art and other hands-on learning
- five rooms for meetings and classrooms for passive learning activities
- shared kitchen and dining space
- a full-size stadium with wooden sprung floor able to host competition basketball, badminton (three courts) and other recreational activities
- wide corridors, a lift, internal ramp, mobility scooter parking, acoustic treatment on meeting room walls, and a Changing Places adult change and toilet facility.
“This new facility will open a world of opportunities for our residents and community groups to come together, form new friendships and strengthen much-needed community connection when COVID-19 restrictions ease,” added Cr Ellis.
“We look forward to welcoming our community into the hub when it is safe to do so.
“We hope to celebrate this wonderful community facility with our residents and community groups in the future.”
