Hub to benefit community

Deputy Mayor Cr Trent Sullivan, Drysdale glass artist Glenda MacNaughton and Festival of Glass convenor Mercedes Drummond. (supplied)

Drysdale and Clifton Springs residents are set to benefit from the development of a community hub at the site of the former childcare centre in Eversley Street, Drysdale.

The recently completed Drysdale Community Hub is already accommodating Drysdale Senior Citizens along with the Festival of Glass, an initiative of the Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association Inc.

Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said that facilities such as the Drysdale Community Hub were vitally important in promoting community connection.

“We’ve long understood the importance of connectedness to good mental health and wellbeing,” Cr Sullivan said.

“It is critically important that all members of the community experience a sense of connection, and this hub will go a long way to engaging many people from across Drysdale and Clifton Springs.”

The hub is particularly important for Drysdale Senior Citizens, who have relocated to the hub from the site of the new Drysdale Library.

Bellarine Ward Councillor Jim Mason said the City had engaged deeply with key stakeholders to ensure the facility would be of benefit to the whole community.

“Consultation with the Project Reference Group was an important step in informing the re-design of the facility for broader community use,” Cr Mason said.

“This hub will accommodate the needs of community organisations in Drysdale.”

Membership of the Project Reference Group included Drysdale Seniors Citizens, Festival of Glass Inc, Drysdale Clifton Springs Curlewis Community Association, Springdale Community Centre, Drysdale Wines and Cheese Society and Drysdale Quilters.

Council committed $750k in its 2020-2021 budget toward construction.