Ambitious project to create community hub
The ambitious project, a venture between a number of Christian churches in Drouin and Warragul as well as individuals, involves a major internal renovation, construction of an indoor playground and a mini-golf course costing about $150,000.
Chairperson of Warragul Hub Inc. Julie Bellingham said most of the money had been raised through donations, grants and business sponsorships but more donations were still welcome.
She said the business plan was to be financially self-sustaining once the facilities are open while being a “low cost” facility for families to use.
A “soft” opening is set for March 21 with an official opening pencilled in for April 1.
Plans for Warragul Hub really kicked off about two years ago, Ms Bellingham said, when members of several churches in the area became aware that each was looking at ways to establish smaller hubs.
They got together and have thrown their energies into a large-scale facility.
She said there were three prime objectives when the project was being planned.
They were to provide a café area where people could meet socially for a chat, play areas for children and a ministry area.
What is now eventuating is a complex that comprises offices, a café, rooms for counselling, social get-togethers, meetings, courses and seminars.
The playroom for toddlers as well as an indoor playground for older children spreading across almost 100 square metres will be supervised by staff to enable parents to have a bit of time out and relax over a coffee and a chat.
The nine-hole mini golf course is partly under cover and partly in the open and, with the playground, comprises what has been named the Crazy Cow activity centre.
It is a social and entertainment venue for young families, Ms Bellingham said, to be open six days a week and on some evenings when special family events are staged.
She said there had been a big need for such a facility in the area, not just for people in desperate need but to enable all families to have some quality time.
The workers and volunteers have been hard at it since January 13, just after the Hub took over the lease of the building at the corner of North Rd and June Crt in Warragul.
There are 10 to 15 volunteers here each day working in four teams – mini golf, playground, kitchen/café and “odd bods” – helping the tradesmen getting things built and ship-shape, Ms Bellingham said.
Some of the volunteers are from Mobile Mission Maintenance, a Christian organisation that travels Australia helping with similar types of projects.
Ms Bellingham said it was all about Christians working together to support families and would run as not-for-profit.
Any profits that may result would be used to support programs at the Hub, food relief, Youth for Christ and the toy library.
Anyone wanting to sponsor or donate to the project can do so through the website – www.thewarragulhub.com.au