Kinder boost set for young suburb

THE Lucas Community Hub is set to be expanded with the addition of kindergarten services.

Extension works for the site are expected to begin this month, carried out by CIQ Construction Management.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson said the expansion is essential for the growing Lucas community.

“We are seeing how fast this area of Ballarat is growing and it is crucial we continue to provide families with high-quality infrastructure close to home,” he said.

“The expansion will give the kindergarten capacity to provide high-quality, accessible, early years services close to home, and support children in Lucas and surrounding areas to be school ready.

“To be starting another kindergarten project like this after collaborating once again with the State Government, just one month after opening the new community hub and kindergarten just a few kilometres away in Alfredton, shows how much we are investing in the western suburbs.”

The extension will boast a 33-place kindergarten room and outdoor space as well as a staff planning room, and new laundry and storage amenities.

The project is being supported with about $1 million from the City of Ballarat while $1.5 million has been allocated through the State Government’s Building Blocks Capacity Grants program.

While none of the site’s existing services are to be impacted during construction, the foyer entrance will be reconfigured and the current community garden will be relocated to site’s south towards Merz Street.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the project’s part of the State Government’s commitment to delivering expanded and accessible kindergarten services for three-to-four-year-olds.

“The Lucas Community Hub expansion will extend free kindergarten programs in Ballarat’s west and give more families access to a quality kinder close to home,” she said.

The Lucas Community Hub was opened in 2016, during which census data estimated Lucas had 1014 residents, while nearly 3000 people were counted in 2021.