Torquay Community House reopens

THERE are big things afoot at Torquay Community House, with the organisation keen to hear feedback about what sort of courses it should offer throughout 2022.

The house in Price Street will begin its core list of classes for term 1 on Monday, January 31, but is also working towards creating a new website and hopes to launch that in February alongside a new strategic plan and a new logo.

“We’re in a phase now in term 1 where we want to talk to the community, we want to find out what people want, we want to re-establish Torquay Community House as one of the hearts of Torquay community – a meeting place, a learning place, somewhere where people can feel safe and included,” Torquay Community House’s new co-ordinator Prue Challis said.

“So we’re going to be doing that groundwork continually, but with term 1, we’re just having a general re-entry because we really need to be mindful of COVID and all of that.

“I think some members of the community, I can understand, would be hesitant to reconnect in a shared community space for health and safety reasons, but I know that sense of connection is so important to so many people, so I want to hear how people feel safe reconnecting.

“In terms of what I’m wondering about: how are people feeling? What do people need?

“Perhaps there may need to be a focus on health and wellbeing, or maybe people just want to get to doing group physical activities again.

“There’s lots of ideas I would have, but it’s not about me.”

Ms Challis said the house would also look to re-establish local partnerships, and she hoped to drive a lift in room hirings.

“The rooms are really generously sized, there are so many possibilities in the space, and we’re going to revamp our venue hire offering and pricing structure, and new packages.

“We’d love to see more kids’ parties here.”

To give feedback and ideas, phone 5261 2583, email [email protected] or visit the centre on Mondays to Thursdays between 9am-5pm.