The ACT government will lease and fit out a new community centre in Coombs as a stop-gap measure before a permanent centre can be built for the growing region.
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Special Minister of State Chris Steel on Wednesday announced a 300 square-metre site would be rented by the territory government for five years to provide low-cost community space.
"We know that a lot of activities don't bring in a whole bunch of revenue, but they're really important to building strong communities, more connected communities. That's why we're making available this space over the next five years in addition to all the other community centres we're building as well," Mr Steel said.
Mr Steel said the cost of the lease over five years would be $435,000, and he was hopeful the fit out could be completed before Christmas.
"We'll be going out to an expression of interest process for a community organisation to run the bookings for this space. We've got $100,000 to do the infrastructure and fitout requirements for the space," he said.
"We're hoping this new space will be available as soon as possible once that work's undertaken - hopefully by the end of the year or early next year."
The new space is located in the block at 110 Woodberry Avenue, Coombs.
Mr Steel said leasing a community facility meant the ACT government could provide short-term space in newer areas, but it was not the preferred long-term model.
"The two schools have been providing community facilities whilst the new region of Molonglo has been established, but we do need to have dedicated community facilities. It's the government's preference that the community can access them, but that they're ACT government owned," he said.
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Molonglo Valley Community Forum member Monique Brouwer said she looked forward to moving the newly recognised community council into the new space.
Ms Brouwer said the temporary facility would have a range of uses.
"We put out an expression of interest to the community to ask them what type of community facility they needed. They came back with lots of different ideas," Ms Brouwer said.
"We had play groups, we had ageing groups, we had cultural groups, social groups, arts groups. There are a lot of different responses and we're hoping this space will cater to those needs."
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Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
