New multipurpose public halls on the way under council’s draft Community Centre Strategy
A lack of space in public halls on the northern beaches could be fixed by multipurpose community centres, the council says.
Manly
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There is a “shortfall” in community centre space in public halls on the northern beaches, research by council staff has shown.
As part of developing its draft Community Centre Stratgy, the council found there was a lack of multipurpose community facilities in key locations.
The council manages and hires out 37 halls and centres to the public for regular or one-off events and activities. They are used by two million people each year.
But council staff identified issues including “small and fragmented” facilities in wrong locations, limited parking and lack of public transport nearby.
Some halls were “uninviting”, with many in poor condition, dated and lacked enough available floor space.
Council was told at its last meeting, that a public survey showed that community centres at Brookvale and North Balgowlah were “not fit for purpose” and that council may look at “disposing” or recycling them.
“In particular, there is a lack of large, integrated multipurpose community facilities in key locations,” staff said in a report to the council.
Centres that received low scores in a survey about meeting future needs included, Elanora Heights Community Centre, Manly Youth Centre, North Steyne Surf Pavilion and Seaforth Community & Sporting Pavilion.
Parking was identified as a problem at Belrose Community Centre, Manly Seniors Centre and Griffith Park Sports Facility.
As part of the draft policy, now on public exhibition until Sunday, December 1, council said it wants to make sure the halls are accessible with good connections to public transport and had affordable hiring rates.
It suggested that as well as refurbishing some community centres, that council investigate the potential for a Regional Community Centre and increase the number of district or subregional centres.
The 20-year strategy also suggested that the council look into the non-council managed or owned facilities to be used by the public such as scout and guide halls as well as
school halls.
At the last council meeting Liberal councillor Dave Walton urged council to examine “asset recycling” when it came to community halls.
Cr Walton said it was clear in the report that the community wanted multipurpose facilities and community hubs with services.
“It is a well accepted and successful process to build bigger and better facilities that can be made more fit for purpose.”
Independent councillor Sarah Grattan said the report acknowledged that Manly was “light on” for community space and there was a need for a community centre at Balgowlah.
Go to: https://yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/ccentrestrategy