By BRIDGET COOK
LYNDHURST is now home to a new multipurpose facility with the opening of the $2.9 million Marriott Waters Family and Children’s Centre.
The centre was officially opened on Thursday last week to cater for the significant growth in demand for kindergarten services in Casey.
The facility consists of three kindergarten rooms, a community room, a separate meeting room and maternal and child health consulting rooms.
City of Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon said the centre was a wonderful addition to our local community and brought together a range of services that would benefit young families.
“The experiences and learning children receive in their first few years have a great influence on the rest of their lives and it’s vital that we provide our youngest residents with every opportunity to get the best possible start,” she said.
“The three new kindergarten rooms demonstrate council’s pro-active approach to the significant growth in demand for kindergarten services in Casey, while the community room caters to local residents who wish to utilise a space for playgroups and new parent groups.
“By providing a community-oriented space with kindergarten and maternal and child health services, council is making it easier for parents and families to build relationships with nurses, kindergarten teachers and each other.”
The State Government contributed $235,000 towards the facility to ensure it could go ahead.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich said the centre was essential for the rapidly growing area.
“The City of Casey is one of Victoria’s largest and fastest growing municipalities – and the Lyndhurst and Lynbrook localities are experiencing significant growth, with large numbers of young families moving to the area,” she said.
“As an expanding community, there is a big need here to support families with a mix of facilities and services that are easily accessible.
“It is therefore vital that we not only have the housing, but services and amenities, like the Marriott Waters Family and Children’s Centre, to support such significant local growth.”
