Geelong council has intervened to keep an Ocean Grove community house operating after its committee of management entered voluntary administration earlier this week.
City of Greater Geelong will temporarily oversee operations at Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House, formerly Bellarine Training and Community Hub (BTACH), until a new long-term operator can be found.
The BTACH committee of management went into administration on Tuesday after becoming financially unsustainable over the past few years.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) is working closely with council and administrators to provide support during the period of transition.
The City’s executive director of City Life Anthony Basford said the centre would continue to provide its programs and services to the community.
“We know how important the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House is to local residents,” he said.
“By stepping in, council is making sure the doors stay open, and that people can keep accessing the activities and connections they value.
“Our priority is to minimise disruption and provide certainty for the community while longer-term arrangements are put in place.”
The community house, which opened in 1980, serviced a wide geographical region, including the Bellarine, Surf Coast and Geelong.
It provided a number of services to the community, including a youth group, hiking group and a depression and anxiety support group, and until recently, a registered training organisation providing community courses.
The community courses, which had been one of BTACH’s main forms of revenue, included food and safety and responsible service of alcohol accreditation, education and support certifications, kids art sessions, arts and crafts, fitness, photography and French-language classes.
However, courses overall saw a big decline in student numbers after the pandemic, leading to significant financial losses in previous financial years.
Mr Basford said the City was working with affected students to help them find alternative ways to complete their studies.
