THE former Annie Sage centre in Blacks Camp Rd, Somerville, will be refurbished as the new home of Somerville Community House. This follows a $270,000 grant from the state government’s Interface Growth Fund.
The mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the Mornington Peninsula Shire was thrilled to receive funding for the project that will help create a real community hub for the town. “Mornington Peninsula Shire Council appreciates the state government’s funding support,” she said.
“The Interface Growth Fund is supporting real contributions to communities of interface councils – councils like the Mornington Peninsula that are just on the outside of metro Melbourne.”
Cr Colomb thanked Cr Lynn Bowden for her passion for the township and her vision through the Somerville Community Planning and Development Project.
Cr Bowden said the Somerville Community House had outgrown its current facility. “The funding support will enable refurbishment of the former kindergarten building. It’s thought that placing the community house with the Somerville Senior Citizens Centre and pre-school nearby will bring a cohesive and centralised hub of services to the Somerville community.
“Funding will also help improve programs and services across the broader Somerville community, including those for children, students and older residents,” she said.
“Delivering this community facility has been a priority of council and the community as identified through the community assessment study.
“On behalf of the community I sincerely thank the state government for their support for our town – we look forward to bringing this much-needed community facility to the community.”
The shire has contributed $30,000 towards the detailed design. The works are expected to start early next year.
First published in the Western Port News – 27 October 2015
