Lazarus development continues

CONSTRUCTION is well under way as Lazarus Community Centre’s new building gets closer to opening.

The team are making their way through stage one of the project, transforming part of the Geelong Gaol into a space for the homeless to seek support and shelter.

A major milestone was reached earlier in the year when they made their way through an external brick wall, now all the plumbing and electrical fit-out is being put together while they wait on the engineer’s report.

“We’re doing what we can out the back, obviously we can’t be doing too much out the back without the further instructions to be able to do,” Lazarus Community Centre manager Michael Kenneady said.

All the old plumbing systems have been removed in both the male and female toilets, along with the disability toilets and the pantry wall has also been cut out.

“It hasn’t been done yet, but we are renewing the internet, we obviously need the internet out there as well and eventually security cameras and things like that,” Mr Kenneady said.

“The plumbing has been a big one because it hasn’t been touched for such a long time, we don’t want any blockages when we move in.”

Once complete the facility will include three toilets, rather than the current building that has one, an increased number of showers from one to three, increased laundry facilities, more space outdoors and an indoor area for lunches during the winter months. Last month the organisation launched its Buy-a-Brick Campaign to help raise funds for the build where people could symbolically purchase a $1,000 brick.

Donations to the campaign and the build can still be made through the Lazarus website.

The opening date for the project is estimated to be around late September to early October.

For more information, head to lazaruscommunitycentre.com.au