Griffith’s long-awaited community centre is one step closer to becoming a reality following further commitment from council and the state government on Monday.
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The need for Griffith to have its own community centre has arguably been an empty promise of many an election, but long-time Griffith campaigners believe the latest pledge is more concrete.
Community stakeholders have been pushing for a facility to provide access to vital services and hold public forums in the city for almost a decade.
Now stakeholders have the land, after “a perfect site” of Crown Land on Olympic Street, close to the PCYC and just around the corner from Banna Avenue, recently became available.
A detailed proposal features an outdoor performance space, offices, meeting spaces and design including an ‘earth mound’ to keep the green space in the CBD.
The “in principle” backing from Griffith City Council comes following a notice of motion moved by Councillor Deb Longhurst.
Stakeholders believe the only two factors left to make the project a realit are money and the support of the community.
The latter is something the city has a reputation for, with and Griffith Neighbourhood House president Sherene Blumer is hopeful residents will rally around the cause – as they did when it was first proposed to build a private community hospital.
Mrs Blumer said the construction of the proposed community centre would ultimately benefit every single person in the city, emphasising it would be open to all 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We want people to be able to come down here whenever, on a Monday when people at the centre might be working we want to see Griffith people meeting up here,” she said.
“This is about raising Griffith’s profile, it will help bring young families here because people like to be a part of a community – it makes them feel valued.”
It is a phenomenon Murray MP Adrian Piccoli has seen elsewhere in his electorate – prompting him to throw his support behind the initiative and commit to helping source the necessary funding.
“From the perspective of the state and federal government Griffith is missing this,” he said on Monday.
With seven community centres in Albury alone and Deniliquin and Junee also boasting such facilities Mr Piccoli said it was high time the city had its own equivalent.
“Griffith needs a community centre,” he said emphasising the need for residents to have an alternative space for public meetings, forums and activities.
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