It’s full steam ahead for Whyalla’s pods this week as progress is being made on all three facilities.
The installation of the modular pod at the Whyalla Library is taking place this week; the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) pod will open this weekend to tie in with the Whyalla Show; while negotiations with potential foreshore café operators is also commencing, with a decision to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Community Hub pod – affectionally known as the ‘The Nest’ – will fill the void between the Mount Laura Homestead Function Centre and the Whyalla Public Library, activating the entire precinct and creating an additional multi-purpose function space for the community.
Whyalla City Council CEO Justin Commons said he hoped the community would embrace the newly installed pod – which was made possible by $354,216 funding from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program – and was looking forward to seeing who utilises the new community space.
“Whyalla has its own unique identity, stories, skills, produce and product, but we currently don’t have a centralised, contemporary space to admire and purchase these unique assets,” Mr Commons said.
“We are hoping that ‘The Nest’ will provide this. It will be a community space which can be embraced, celebrated, utilised, and supported by the community, for the community.”
Artist impression of The Nest – The Community Hub Pod
Mr Commons said this was ultimately about providing spaces that can continually evolve to meet the needs of the community.
“We have many spaces with untapped potential, so this project presents a simple, cost-effective, yet modern and sophisticated way to engage the community, all while providing future flexibility through easy relocation and redesign / repurpose,” he said.
“The Nest’ has a large open-plan, indoor area and an outdoor undercover decking. The space will be multifunctional and encourage place-making and social interaction by community groups and individuals.”
Mr Commons said Council was hoping that with the increase of activity and activation, the precinct will come alive, which could have the added benefit of reducing vandalism and other anti-social behaviour in the area.
“It would be great to see outdoor activations by various community groups, including markets in the surrounding paved area; catering in the Mount Laura Museum function room; plus local artists and creatives exhibiting and selling their goods inside ‘The Nest’,” Mr Commons said.
“This will hopefully bring even more people and families to the area, creating increased use of the library, homestead and retail and food outlets.”
Mr Commons thanked the Australian Government – including Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey – for their support via the LRCI Program. The program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The VIC pod will be open 11am-3pm this Saturday and Sunday (August 20-21), offering a range of cuttlefish-themed merchandise – be sure to get in fast to secure yours!
Council will continue to provide updates over the coming weeks on the opening of ‘The Nest’; the permanent opening times for the pop-up foreshore VIC; and the new operators of the foreshore café.
If you’re an artist, creative or part of a community group and would like to help activate this new and exciting space, please register your interest now by contacting Council via council@whyalla.sa.gov.au or 8640 3444.
The VIC pod will be open 11am-3pm this Saturday and Sunday (August 20-21), offering a range of cuttlefish-themed merchandise, including the new Cuttlefest kids bucket hats as modelled by Nikhil and Mila – be sure to get in fast to secure yours!