The City of Swan unveiled it’s concept plans for a new Community and Learning Centre at two community information sessions on September 18. About 30 interested residents viewed plans and had their say on the plans for the project which will be delivered in two phases.
The first phase, due to get underway in 2014, involves the construction of one main building which will house a new library, an information centre where Bullsbrook residents can pay their rates etc and a range of multi-purpose rooms to cater for youth and neighbourhood groups. A cafe with an outdoor eating area and young children’s playground is also planned.
During this phase Pickett Park Hall will be refurbished, including a long awaited upgrade to the change rooms. Phase two plans to include additional offices and a large function space.
Cr Kevin Bailey, North Ward Councillor commented “This is a very exciting project that will start the transformation of Bullsbrook and create the beginning of a true town centre. It is a major investment from the City of Swan to the tune of nearly $8.5 mil. The City has spent considerable time in consultation with the community from the very beginning and the input and enthusiasm has been fantastic. We all look forward to the opening in 2015.”
BRRA ( Bullsbrook Residents and Ratepayers Association) is one group who has been consulted on the plans so far, and President, Glynn Davies’ feedback was that “The proposal contains a number of “transformable” spaces but we are unsure of what the biggest space would be, even when rooms are opened up. Even within the existing Pavilion at Bullsbrook Sporting Club, we battle to have a community meeting to seat 100- 200 people.
This was very evident during the bushfire incident in February 2013.” BRRA secretary, Ann Sibbel said
“We think the concept is great and we are looking forward to having such a great facility in Bullsbrook, however there were a few things about the design that we are concerned about. For example the cafe area is very small, and there are some issues with the size of the main foyer”
Architects at City of Swan said that they had added the rammed earth columns to the facade as a result of community feedback that the building needed to reflect it’s rural setting and not look too ‘Ellenbrook’.
The plan is still very much at conceptual stage, and several ideas from the community will be incorporated into the next stage of the design.
