For two and a half years the former health education centre at the old Parkes Hospital site stood lifeless and empty – that is until Thursday.
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The building has been transformed into a new community centre for Parkes residents to enjoy.
And on Thursday, with the help of Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Nationals candidate for Orange Kate Hazelton, it was officially opened.
The pair – together with members of the Parkes community – cut the ribbon and enjoyed an afternoon tea generously provided by the Parkes Quota Club.
The new Parkes Community Centre on the corner of Rose and Coleman streets was co-funded by Parkes Shire Council and the NSW Government under its Strong Country Communities Fund, with $265,000 in government funding going towards the project.
When the hospital was decommissioned and demolished in August 2016, council looked to save two of the remaining buildings at the site to “re-purpose them for the community”.
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The space will be able to be utilised by community bands, for community group meetings, playgroup sessions, yoga and more.
As part of the new community centre’s refurbishment, the building’s kitchen was upgraded, new flooring and internal doors installed, there’s a unisex bathroom with disabled access, the light fittings replaced, and the air conditioning unit upgraded.
There were also upgrades to the wiring, painting, disabled support infrastructure installed, as well as a new smartboard.
The renovations didn’t stop there, a car park was also constructed and landscaping carried out.
Mr Barilaro said Stronger Country Communities projects are popping up all over the state, each helping to make regional towns and cities even better places to live, work and play.
“I congratulate everyone who had a hand in delivering this project to the community, especially the Parkes Shire Council,” he said.
"We always talk about the big stuff and not as much about the little stuff, and the little stuff is community spaces.
"What was an old hospital site is now a fantastic community centre and that is exciting...It's been refreshed and brought back to life.
“Together we are making sure regional NSW has everything that makes a difference to a community… We want a prospering NSW."
Parkes Shire Councillor Pat Smith thanked the NSW Government for its investment in the infrastructure.
“With the current community centre in Cooke Park scheduled for demolition to make way for a new multipurpose centre, this new community centre will provide a space for those local groups and organisations to relocate,” she said.
“The modern, functional meeting space will be ideal for use by a wide range of community organisations and outreach services for the Parkes Shire.”
Parkes Shire Council's General Manager, Kent Boyd thanked the NSW Government for their contribution.
“It is great to see this facility re-purposed into a modern, functional meeting space for use by a wide range of community organisations and outreach services for the Parkes Shire,” he said.
Council’s Director of Planning Steven Campbell also took the opportunity to thank project manager Duncan Blair for his efforts and oversight.
