Club renovation grant to boost training program

A PLAN to help refugees into the workforce is also giving a 100-year-old community club a new lease of life.

A PLAN to help refugees into the workforce is also giving a 100-year-old community club a new lease of life.

Ashfield’s Pratten Park Community Sports and Bowling Club has joined forces with Metro Assist to offer training for refugees and new migrants in basic food services.

As part of the Inner West Council’s $1 million Stronger Communities Grants program, the club has received a $50,000 grant to renovate its kitchen to assist with the program and other community events.

“Twenty-odd years ago we used to run a community kitchen and host events, but we haven’t been able to use (the kitchen) for a few years,” grant applicant Gordon Latham said.

“It’ll be a great thing for the club – we’ll be able to train refugees for their future in hospitality and it means we’ll be able to host more community events.”

Mr Latham said the training program would begin in early 2017 – part of a plan to “take the club into the future”.

“We’re looking at opening again on Friday nights and getting club functioning again,” he said.

“With all the high-rise development happening in Ashfield it’s important to have that community space.

“We don’t have pokies and not looking to make money out of it.

“It’s just about providing a place where people can come and sit in and communicate with each other,” Mr Latham said.