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MEETING SPACE: The Alex Ramsay Community Hub will have plenty of room for community groups.
Advancing Whyalla will take another big step forward when it officially opens the Alex Ramsay Community Hub (ARCH) this month.
An organisation founded in 1999, Advancing Whyalla has taken over the lease of the old Alex Ramsay Library building in Whyalla Stuart and is in the process of converting it into a community hub.
This move comes with the assistance of $189,000 to the Council from the State Government’s support package when steelworks former owners Arrium went into administration. These funds will be used to upgrade the former Council Civic and Alex Ramsay Libraries for community and business activities.
Advancing Whyalla has continued its strong working relationship with the City of Whyalla to establish the ARCH.
Along with facilitating the building lease, Council is assisting with the engagement of an Advancing Whyalla co-ordinator who will be seeking out community grants and funding to support community groups in Whyalla.
With a 200sqm area and a separate meeting area, along with Advancing Whyalla administration area, the old library building is being re-fitted to accommodate a wide range of community group uses and training programs for residents.
UNDERGOING REFURBISHMENT: The former library building is being converted into a community hub.
Advancing Whyalla president Keith Sichler said the establishment of the ARCH was one of the most significant projects undertaken by the volunteer organisation and gives it a more viable working space as it moves office from its former Housing Trust half-house.
“We’ve now got a huge amount of space including 200sqm where the main library used to be,” Keith said.
“This will be ideal for conferences, art displays, yoga, other exercises and meeting activities.
“There will be a charge for groups to use this space but the office space, which was the old children’s library, will be available at no cost for community groups to come and hold their meetings.
“We will also be providing space for groups to store their resources and records.
“This is a base for Advancing Whyalla to pursue its community development activities, provide space to gather community groups and a hub for local residents to sources learning opportunities.”
The ARCH will allow Advancing Whyalla to continue its community training services while also branching out into small business training. Advancing Whyalla previously ran an award-winning SA Regional Community leadership program that can boast Port August Mayor Sam Johnson as a former graduate.
ROOM TO MOVE: The new ARCH will be able to accommodate many community activities.
Keith paid tribute to Council for its assistance in making the old library building available and continued support. The establishment of the hub on Ramsay Street is one of a number of new initiatives planned for the western suburbs of Whyalla according to Director – City Growth Kristina Roberts.
“Advancing Whyalla is an anchor tenant and an opportunity for the community to take the lead in leading and supporting new projects and initiatives,” Kristina said.
The ARCH is a solid start in facilitating and building stronger collaboration and connections between Council and the community”
Advancing Whyalla is now busily working on the fitting-out of the building on Ramsay Street. It is currently seeking sponsors to contribute to the cost and logistics of creating the hub.
“We’re not only looking for community groups to come down and utilise these facilities, we’re also looking for businesses and groups who can assist us now in providing furniture, computers and building services to create this hub,” Keith said.
“Any business or organisation what has some spare chairs, tables, computers, projectors or any items of use are welcome to come on board as sponsors and supporters of this wonderful project.”
The fitting-out will lead in to the official opening of the ARCH on Tuesday, October 16. Advancing Whyalla is inviting groups, businesses and organisation to come along to the opening day, set up a stall and let the community know what they are about.
Anyone who can assist with the hub fit-out or wants more information about using the facilities can contact Advancing Whyalla on 0434 675 190 or drop in to the hub at 25-27 Ramsay Street, Whyalla Stuart.