Mature community members have been handed the key to a new space for leisure and wellbeing following the grand opening of the highly anticipated Harvey Connect.
Formerly known as the Harvey Senior Citizens Centre, the newly upgraded building has expanded to accommodate the Centre’s growing membership base and now features a social area, office and accessible bathroom.
The facade of the building has also been given a makeover, with eye-catching brickwork, sleek paneling and signage.
This morning, the Shire welcomed the Minister for Regional Development Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC to officially launch the revitalized facility.
The Minister said Harvey Connect would play a key role in supporting the community’s older residents.
“Congratulations to the Shire of Harvey and the Harvey Senior Citizens Centre committee for delivering this important initiative of providing a welcoming and accessible space for our seniors,” the Minister said.
Harvey Senior Citizens Centre Committee President Brian Kealley said he was thrilled with the finished project.
“The former Centre was ageing and restrictive,” Mr Kealley said.
“We were finding it difficult to meet demand for services and on top of that, we thought the building needed some sprucing up.”
“We now have a modern, fit-for-purpose extension that will allow us to offer an even wider range of social programs and activities for senior community members. We’re very excited.”
The Harvey Connect project was made possible through a joint funding effort: $150,000 from the Harvey Senior Citizens Centre Committee, $610,000 from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and $482,000 from the Shire of Harvey.
Shire President Michelle Campbell said developing the Harvey Region into an increasingly
age-friendly town was a Shire priority.
She said the Harvey Connect project brought the Shire one step closer to that goal.
“From tailored programs for over-50s at our recreation centres, to support services in our libraries, to major infrastructure projects like Stage 3 of the Brunswick River Cottages, the Shire of Harvey is proud to be backing our older residents every step of the way.
“Harvey Connect is a fantastic example of what we can achieve when we work closely with our community to deliver spaces that are inclusive, welcoming and future-ready.
And we’re certainly not finished yet – watch this space!”