THE Ballarat Senior Citizens Club on Little Bridge Street is celebrating after receiving a grant from the Stronger Communities Programme.<\/p>\n
The $10,000 will cover the construction of a new gender-neutral disabled bathroom and the replacement of carpeting and linoleum tiling in the club rooms.<\/p>\n
Federal MP Catherine King said a lot of the senior citizens clubs have outdated amenities which need renovation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is not a lot of money is around for these clubs and so these small grants really provide great new facilities for the people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The community group has over 300 members and has provided more than 5000 meals to its patrons over the past year.<\/p>\n
Ms King said the centre provides an important social setting for older people who might live alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club has a critical role to play in ensuring that older people in our community are still connected with social services and with the community life in the city,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The grant was originally going to be used to install a new oven for the kitchenette, however the club was able to raise enough of its own funds to organise an upgrade.<\/p>\n
President of the organisation Geoff Pitt said the facility does not currently house a disabled toilet, but one is certainly needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe toilets were built in the 1960s and they really need a good upgrade, which will make it easier for disabled entry and also make the toilets healthier,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Stronger Communities Programme has also granted $10,000 to the Victoria Bowling Club for exterior upgrades and chair installation, as well as $7000 for the Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Ballarat Senior Citizens Club on Little Bridge Street is celebrating after receiving a grant from the Stronger Communities Programme. The $10,000 will cover the construction of a new gender-neutral disabled bathroom and the replacement of carpeting and linoleum tiling in the club rooms. Federal MP Catherine King said a lot of the senior citizens […]<\/p>\n