By MELISSA MEEHAN
MONTROSE’S Japara Neighbourhood House is closing the door to its old home, and opening a new door to serve the community at a state of the art facility in Kilsyth.
An integral part of the Montrose community for over 35 years, Japara has had a long and proud history of serving the community.
The purpose-built Living and Learning Centre on Durham Road in Kilsyth will be the new home – the site was originally home to the Kilsyth Seniors and U3A Yarra Ranges.
The Yarra Ranges Council identified the ageing buildings and its surrounding land as the ideal location to build a new state-of-the-art community facility.
The new $5 million Living and Learning Centre was approved for funding by Yarra Ranges Council four years ago, but according to Cr Len Cox, the vision of creating a community space in the Kilsyth/Montrose area has been many years in the making.
“Community concern for the lack of a decent community space in the area surfaced nearly 20 years ago and we’ve been working to establish a new space since then,” Cr Cox said.
“I am so pleased that the dream has become reality and Yarra Ranges Council has full confidence in Japara’s excellent management team and board to ensure the centre caters for the diverse and changing needs of the community.”
Funded by Yarra Ranges Council and managed by Japara, the new Japara Living and Learning Centre will be an accessible and welcoming space for the community.
Both Montrose and Kilsyth residents will benefit from affordable programs and workshops, occasional care, space for community groups to gather and a range of multi-purpose rooms to hire, including a self-contained annexe and a main hall, holding up to 150 people.
The new Living and Learning Centre will enable Japara to continue its mission to be an accessible and affordable resources centre for the community.
The new facility is located less than three kilometres from Japara’s current Leith Road home and is accessible by both bus and car.
“Japara will always be an integral part of Montrose and we believe the new facility will be an important asset for this special community,” says Joanne Scanlan, Executive Officer at Japara Neighbourhood House.
“The new Japara Living and Learning Centre will enable us to provide many more rich opportunities, including beautiful multi-purpose spaces, new facilities for occasional care and playgroups, Yarra Ranges Council maternal health services, and a warm and welcoming space for everyone in Montrose and Kilsyth to drop in. It will be a home for everyone.”
Japara Neighbourhood House will continue to operate at its Leith Road home through the end of the year.
The Japara Living and Learning Centre plans to open its doors in February 2015, followed by a Grand Opening community celebration.
Details about the opening date and grand opening celebration will be announced in December.
