WORKS to a Loxton community centre will begin in the coming weeks after a Riverland-based builder was recently appointed.
Big River Developments won the tender for the $2.6 million Loxton Retirement Village Community Centre to be housed on the former Guide hall site.
District Council of Loxton Waikerie (DCLW) chief executive officer David Beaton said the community centre would be a multi-use facility.
“It will help to stop social isolation and give a place for people to mingle and meet,” he said.
“Hopefully that evolves into better mental health.”
Last year, DCLW received $1.2 million of Federal Government funding to build the community centre, while the remaining $1.4 million will be sourced from the village’s capital reserve.
The centre will have a large meeting space, gym, meeting/consult rooms, semi-commercial kitchen, toilet and storage rooms.
“It will be a social place that is their own,” Mr Beaton said.
“You could have a birthday party there for one of the residents.
“The whole idea is that hopefully people will be able to walk there, potentially have a drink and then walk home.
“They don’t necessarily have to rely on cars and other people taking them.”
Mr Beaton said other community groups, such as the senior citizens, will be able to hire the facility.
Big River Developments company director Murray Knowling said he was looking forward to using local tradespeople.
“We’ll be running at 90 per cent (locals),” he said.
The former Loxton Guide Hall, located on the corner of Bookpurnong Terrace and View Street, is expected to be demolished in coming weeks to make way for the centre.
Meanwhile the Loxton Retirement Village Community Centre was today announced as a recipient of an additional $1 million through the Federal Government’s Economic Development Program. The funds will be used for new units at the facility.