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Following extensive community consultation, the Greater Bendigo City Council has endorsed a stage one concept plan as part of a long-term, multi-staged redevelopment of Eaglehawk’s Peter Krenz Centre which would include a 24/7 gym.

Stage One would transform the section of the Centre closest to Lake Neangar into a more diverse and vibrant community hub.

The community hub would connect to the Centre’s existing aquatic facilities and include a new library, new indoor/outdoor café, 24/7 gym, activity rooms with kitchenettes and storage that could be used flexibly by community groups and service providers and public toilets to serve the wider precinct.

Greater Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf said the decision will allow the project to progress to detailed design as funding becomes available to do so.

However, the project is currently unfunded and will require considerable, future funding commitments from the City, and the Victorian and Australian Governments to proceed.

Mayor Metcalf noted “Council would like to thank the members of the Community Reference Group formed in 2020 for their commitment and contributions to the project.

“The Community Reference Group will now be wound up due to the long-term nature of the project.  However, members will be invited to participate should another community reference group be formed to guide future stages.

“The Community Reference Group’s consultation helped understand what should be included in the community hub.  Their research, supported by technical reports, also found the Centre’s aquatic facilities still have approximately 15 to 20 years of remaining lifespan while the other parts have much less.

“This is one of the reasons the construction of the new community hub is the highest priority and the first stage of the project.  It will offer better indoor/outdoor connections to other popular nearby facilities including Lake Neangar, the Eaglehawk Regional Playspace, McKern Skate Park and the Canterbury Park sports hub and gardens.

“The City also received fantastic feedback from the community regarding the concept plan and would like to thank everyone who contributed their input.”

City of Greater Bendigo Active and Healthy Communities Manager Amy Johnston said the Centre was originally constructed in 1976/77 as a leisure facility and in 1994/95 the City enclosed the existing swimming pool into the complex and heated it to provide Greater Bendigo with its first indoor heated swimming pool.

“However, the Centre is no longer meeting community needs and expectations and this is coupled with increasing maintenance costs due to the building’s age,” Johnston said.  

“Additionally, the Eaglehawk Library located in the Mechanics Institute Hall in Sailors Gully Road, has also outgrown its current home and the project provides a unique opportunity to incorporate the Library in the new community hub.”

Residents can follow the progress of the project by visiting the City’s Let’s Talk website

Image: Senior fitness class illustrative only

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