Melville's longstanding Blue Gum Community Centre has officially reopened its doors following a comprehensive multi-million dollar renovation project that took more than a year to complete.
Major Upgrades Delivered
The $3.7 million refurbishment has transformed the facility with a range of new features. These include brand-new flooring, reconfigured lobby areas designed to improve passive surveillance for child safety, new accessible ramps, a larger staff room, upgraded crèche areas, and significant car park upgrades. The redesign ensures all amenities now meet current compliance standards and greatly improve accessibility throughout the building to support a wide variety of activities and meet the evolving needs of the community.
A Centre with History
Originally constructed in 1984 to serve as a venue for basketball and badminton, the centre has adapted over the decades. However, growing demand for school and extracurricular programs in Melville necessitated a modernisation to provide greater flexibility for users.
Melville Mayor Katy Mair attended the reopening ceremony last Monday, joined by fellow councillors, Chief Executive Officer Gail Bowman, and Federal Tangney MP Sam Lim. Mayor Mair emphasised the importance of such facilities, stating: “Our residents deserve accessible and inviting facilities to enable them to build and maintain connections at every stage of life. Maintaining our community facilities and delivering refurbishments like these ensures we can continue to support our community in maintaining a healthy and connected lifestyle. It’s great to see the upgraded facilities already being enjoyed by the community.”
Federal Support and Community Art
The multi-million-dollar project received $13,000 through a Federal Government grant, which funded a public access computer room and entry artwork created by First Nations artists. This contribution highlights the commitment to blending modern functionality with cultural recognition.
The renovation is part of the council's Plan for the Future 2024-2034, which focuses on building a diverse community by delivering more inclusive multipurpose spaces that promote wellbeing.
Current and Future Use
The centre is already bustling with activity, hosting board game groups, table tennis, and friendly rounds of Mahjong. It features kitchen facilities, a functions room, and a large open sports court available for hire. The thoughtful redesign ensures the space can accommodate a broad range of activities, from casual gatherings to structured programs.
MODE Design Corp worked closely with the City of Melville and key stakeholders to develop the project, ensuring it remained cost-effective throughout the process while delivering high-quality outcomes for the community.
