Council breaks ground on new Bunya community hub
Published 21 December 2020
Construction is underway on a brand new $1.25 million home for the Golden Valley Keperra Lions Club at James Drysdale Reserve in Bunya (JDR), ready for them to move in mid to late 2021.
Council awarded the tender to BBN Constructions to build a new building that will be used by multiple community groups.
Mayor Peter Flannery said this would elevate James Drysdale Reserve from a sports precinct into a community hub for the whole region.
“We wanted to create a great new community space to complement Council’s baseball field and sports upgrades currently happening at James Drysdale Reserve,” he said.
“This will open the space to all walks of life, with plans to house youth and senior services, as well as arts, crafts and community activities.
“The modern facilities will feature two multi-purpose rooms, two meeting rooms, separate amenities for each tenant, a coffee servery, a community shed and much more.
“Once complete, the Lions Club will take over the lease on a nominal rate and will be responsible for subleasing the spaces to community groups that will help bring the centre to life.”
GVK Lions Club President Paul Ryan said this was a big win for the Lions and the community as a whole.
“We have a vision to fill the space with Men’s Shed and Women’s Nest-like activities, a safe place where residents can come socialise and relax together,” he said.
“But we’d also like the facility to become home to youth services and activities like board game nights.
“Fundamentally the Lions are here to serve the community and this project will help us to do that tenfold, so I’d like to thank the Council for their support.
“Now we just can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s complete and get to work helping the community however we can.”
Councillor (Div 10) Matt Constance said he’d been working with various community stakeholders for almost five years to develop a project that would bring even more users to James Drysdale Reserve.
“It’s so great to see this community space at James Drysdale Reserve finally coming to fruition after plenty of planning with the community,” he said.
“The GVK Lions Club have been wonderful contributors to the region for almost 50 years, and I have seen the work they do firsthand..
“I’m proud to say we listened to what the Lions and the community needed and now we’re delivering.”
Councillor (Div 9) Cath Tonks said she’d excited about the new opportunities this will deliver for locals.
“The fact that this new building will be so flexible is very exciting,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing some of the new art and craft uses and I’m sure the new community coffee cart will be a real buzz for the community.