It’s taken eight years, three councils and “a lot of challenges” but on Monday the Peregian Beach Community House was officially opened with a fabulous welcome to country by Lyndon Davis and the cutting of the ribbon by Mayor Clare Stewart and community house president Mary Crawford.
The facility includes multi-functional spaces, three hire rooms, landscaped greenspace and purpose-built facilities to assist services that help disadvantaged residents.
Bark Architects designed the building with input from the Peregian Beach Community House management committee, while Grant Calder contributed project management and design expertise for the wider Stage Three project.
“Truly a community space, members of the Peregian Beach Community House committee played a hands-on role designing the building so it would best meet the community’s needs,” Cr Stewart said.
“We’ve had to overcome a few hurdles along the way with this project, but it’s all been worth it to deliver the high-quality asset unveiled today.”
Construction of the building was made possible with $2.5 million from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, just under $114,000 from the Queensland Government’s Maturing the Infrastructure Pipeline Program, and $2.55 million from Council.
Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said he was pleased to have been a cog in the wheel in obtaining federal funding, but it was listening to the community and getting the balance right, more than the tangible elements that made it such a great project.
“This will serve the community and adapt into the future. It’s a great investment in your community,” he said.
Council’s community services director Kerri Contini compared the challenges in completing the project, that included the primary contractor going into liquidation, bushfires three years ago and two years of Covid, to the characteristics that make up a community.
“It’s what the community is all about – perseverance, commitment and coming together, even when the going is tough,” she said.
“The community spirit that once embodied the old bowls club on this site for so many years before it closed, continues to evolve and strengthen and has found a new life in this new facility.”
Ms Crawford said the PBCH Management Committee was honoured and thankful to be part of designing the new Community House with Noosa Council and Bark Architects and to be able to continue to manage the wonderful space for our community.
The new Community House is the centrepiece of the $5.2 million Rufous Street Precinct Stage Three, which also includes a 4000sqm greenspace with sculptured gardens, a play area, winding footpaths and carpark.
The new construction paves way for the old building’s refurbishment to support the Peregian Digital Hub’s expansion, which is currently under construction.
