Newtown’s
Chilwell Library has received a $150,000 funding boost towards its planned
upgrade.
The
grant comes after an application was made by the City of Greater Geelong to the
Victorian Government’s 2021-22 Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.
Council had already allocated funding in
the 2020-2021 and 21-22 budget for design and construction.
DE Atelier
Architects have been engaged by the City to work with the Geelong Regional
Library Corporation, Friends of Chilwell Library group and community stakeholders
in the redesign of the library for the benefit of the local community.
Detailed
design will be undertaken from March to June with construction to commence in
September.
The
redevelopment is focused on making sure Chilwell Library remains an intimate
and community-focused facility while improving integration with the park and
delivering valuable new community meeting spaces and toilet facilities.
The redevelopment complements the City’s planned investments in new libraries in Armstrong Creek, Drysdale and Lara.
It is supported by the City’s Social Infrastructure Plan 2020 and the Geelong Regional Library Infrastructure Development Plan 2019.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan
Council is proud to financially support the upgrade of the Chilwell Library
and thanked the Victorian Government for their contribution.
We know this
upgrade is important for the Newtown community.
The Chilwell
Library is a much-loved community asset that has served its community since
1958.
The upgrade will provide
spaces that will more than double the library’s capacity, enabling
opportunities for more diverse programs for all age groups.
Councillor
Ron Nelson, chair of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation
The
investment highlights Council’s commitment to providing access to high
standard libraries across the region.
Libraries
are an integral part of our communities; they help encourage a lifelong love of
reading and learning, support people to develop new skills, develop digital
literacy, access support and information, and meet peopled.
We
thank the Victorian Government for their contribution to this worthy project.
Christine Couzens, Member for Geelong
I know how much the Chilwell library is valued by the
local community as a place to meet and to learn.
The State Government is proud to support this upgrade
to provide a modern library facility the community deserve.
Information about the design principles and the
preliminary concept plans can be found on the Geelong Australia website
https://yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/CLR
The announcement follows a $1.5 million grant for the
Armstrong Creek Library from the same fund, announced in January.