The biggest community infrastructure program in the history of north west Victoria is currently being undertaken by Council with construction of The Alfred Deakin Centre. At a cost of $11 million, the new Centre will provide residents and visitors to the area with over 5,000 square metres of community facilities, ideally located on Mildura’s main boulevard.
The first stage, to be completed by April 1997, will include a Visitors information Centre, community meeting rooms and a new regional library.
Stage 2, due to be completed in 1998, will result in a new indoor aquatic centre featuring an indoor pool, wave pool and health and fitness centre. Located adjacent to the existing Olympic pool, the Centre will accommodate many of Council’s recreation and leisure programs. Funding for the project includes $1 million from the Federal and State Governments. Further funding is currently being sought from the State Government.
A model of the project, currently on display in the Mildura National Bank, has generated considerable community interest. Council believes this new Centre is a prime example of the type of facility that the Rural City can now provide due to its larger size and increased resources.
The complex will contribute to the amenity of residents in the Municipality providing a focus for community and recreational activities, as well as complement the resurgence tourism is enjoying in the region.
As a first port of call for visitors it will provide a highly attractive and accessible introduction to all the benefits and attributes the area has to offer. It is expected that half a million people will use the Centre each year.
While the new Centre took a year to plan, smaller communities in the Municipality have not been ignored. At Merbein, located to the west of Mildura, a $500,000 Multi Purpose Centre is also being built. It will include a Senior Citizens Centre, Toy Library, Maternal and Child Health Centre, Pre-school and Community Rooms.
