Input asked on overhaul draft

STAFF at the City of Ballarat are calling out for input on their plans to redevelop the Eastwood Leisure Complex.

Currently in the draft concept stage, everyone is being asked to offer their feedback on the site’s impending overhaul which will be aimed at bringing a greater accessibility to the site.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson said it’s important the community has their say on the venue’s transformation.

“We know the building is outdated and we are really excited about what is in store for the future, but we want the community to be involved in the journey,” he said.

“We want as much input as possible to make this facility the best it can possibly be and make it a gem in the very heart of Ballarat.

“The more people engage with us, the more it helps us create a facility that most benefits the community.”

With the current plan to demolish the current fixture to install a new building, four community consultation sessions are being held at the complex to help steer the project.

The first took place on Tuesday morning with the remaining sessions to occur on Monday 17 July from 9.30am to 11.30am then 4.30pm to 6.30pm, and on Wednesday 26 July at 5pm.

Online feedback can also be submitted at the municipality’s MySay page until 11.59pm on Sunday 30 July.

Concept designs for the building’s redevelopment have been drafted through consultation with the complex’s committee.

Once feedback is received, detailed designs are set to be completed by mid-next year with plans to keep the site’s rear basketball stadium.

The redeveloped complex is proposed to hold up to 200 people at once, to feature a conference room, community event space, 10 meeting rooms, a kitchen, and two activity rooms.

Currently, the site is used by about 100 different groups with more than 1000 weekly visitors, with its redevelopment identified as a high priority project in the municipality’s Community Infrastructure Plan 2022-2037.