Bank’s new meeting space
Drouin and District Community Bank opened the doors of its new administrative and community space to the public last week.
The office, 'Drouin and District Community Financial Services', located at 1/9 Bank Place, hosts offices for the bank treasurer and administration officer, as well as a small meeting room and a large meeting space, each with a kitchenette.
The community space will be made available to local groups, primarily those that are notfor-profit from sometime in August. It fits up to 50 people and has an electronic whiteboard, projector, chairs and dividable table. The room can be organised for formal or informal meetings and presentations and has the facilities for people to attend meetings remotely.
It is one of three businesses operating out of the block, which is owned by the Community Bank. Grand Ridge Financial has already moved into the space next door, while a second space will be occupied by a local business specialising in dental care.
The project has been in the bank's sights for many years and the plot of land was purchased back in 2017. It was finally completed mid last year by local contractors and builders and has been used by the bank since. However, the opening of the public spaces was delayed by
COVID-19. Board chair Rod Dunlop said the bank was pleased with the final bright, modern space and was passionate about opening it up to community groups. He gave special thanks to Kim Rees and Sean Walsh, who managed the building's design and construction.
"It's a ripper space," he said.
A large wallpaper mural, provided by Home Grown Designs is a special feature in the large conference room. It is an image of Bank Place and the corner of Princes Way, taken sometime in the 1940s or 50s.
Drouin resident Keith Pretty, who stopped by to inspect the new community asset, pointed out a house at the end of the street in the far right of the image. He said it was the spot where the bank's new building now sits, and once was the location of the home of J.D. and Vera Grubb.
This has been a big year for the community bank, with the opening of the new space, celebrating the organisation's 20th birthday and having put a total of $6.9 million back into the community since the bank's inception.
Mr Dunlop said it was important to recognise the contributions of the volunteer directors who started it all and had a space for the community set in their sights for many years.