Roaring approval for Lions Club’s new $1.6m Bunya home

Published 04 November 2021

Kakowan Community Facility

Council’s master vision to create a community hub at James Drysdale Reserve has come together after the completion of the new $1.6 million multi-use building and new home of the Golden Valley Keperra Lions Club.

Mayor Peter Flannery said Council today handed over the keys to the Lions, who’ve aptly named the building ‘Kakowan Community Facility’ after the Turrbal name for kookaburra.

“Kakowan has been named by the community and it will be run by community groups so you know it will be a truly community-owned facility for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

“The Golden Valley Keperra Lions Club will move in as the managers of the facility  after decades of service to the Hills District by raising money for those in need and hosting community events such as Christmas carols.

“The modern facilities include two multi-purpose rooms, two meeting rooms and deck space with magnificent views of bushland that will be hireable to community groups and separate amenities for each, so I can’t wait to see it in full use.

“This facility will tie in perfectly with the many sports & recreation clubs and SES depot that call James Drysdale Reserve home by providing a place for them to come together.

“Council supports all the groups and clubs within James Drysdale Reserve with a generous nominal $1 per year lease arrangement to give them a leg up and focus on delivering on services to the community instead of worrying about their finances.”

Councillor Matt Constance (Div 10) said this ties in Council’s vision to elevate James Drysdale Reserve from a sporting precinct into a hub for the community to gather.

“Mums and dads will be able to stop for a coffee at Kakowan’s new coffee servery that is due to open in the coming months and mingle with the Lions while their kids play or train on the nearby sports facilities,” he said.

“This facility diversifies the uses for James Drysdale Reserve, turning it from a sporting facility to a thriving community hub.

“It will help build a strong tight-knit community here at James Drysdale Reserve and encourage crossover membership between the different groups and clubs.

“I also hope this becomes a popular pitstop location for the huge number of cyclists, walkers and runners who use the Jinker Track and Bunya State Forest as a base for their regular activities in the southern part of our region.

“I urge everyone to come on down, buy a coffee and have a chat and become a member at one of the many local groups.

“The community managed model for facilities like this has been a great success with the Samford Community Hub and we look forward to Lions work here at the Kakowan Community Facility.”

Booking enquiries can be made directly with Golden Valley Keperra Lions. Email info@kakowan.org.au or call 0484 287 506.