By Brendan Rees
An extra 20 kindergarten places will be on offer per year following the multi-million revamp of a Narre Warren family and community centre.
The $2.8 million redevelopment of Strathaird Family and Community Centre was officially re-opened on Wednesday 27 March.
The centre features a consulting room for Maternal and Child Health services, a four-year-old kindergarten room, an outdoor play area, and upgrades to the existing large multi-purpose community room with modern audio-visual technology, a kitchen, courtyard and an extra community meeting room.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon joined councillors, the Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek, and Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas for the re-opening celebrations.
“Today we celebrate the delivery of several extra spaces, which will cater for an additional 20 students this year and provide opportunities for the centre to increase its overall intake to 162 students,” Cr Stapledon said.
“Centres like this allow our children to learn new skills and our community groups to run recreational and support programs; so essentially, this is a space where together our community will grow.”
Council secured a $1.4 million grant in 2016 through the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, which was matched by Council to deliver additional kindergarten spaces and enhanced community facilities at Strathaird.
Mr Maas said: “It’s great to see the Andrews Labor Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund delivering projects like the Strathaird Family and Community Centre, providing vital services to growing communities like Narre Warren South.”
