A new community centre in the heart of Thornlie will go ahead as planned after a $1.3 million grant completed the final piece of the funding puzzle.
The Lotterywest grant was officially handed over to the City of Gosnells this week to assist with the new community centre at Thornlie Reserve.
Located between the Thornlie Bowling Club and Thornlie Tennis Club, the new centre will be part of a redevelopment of the entire site to create a community and sports hub.
It will provide space for large events, workshops, small meetings and group physical activities and will also include a kitchen and servery and storage for furniture.
Thornlie Bowls Club Chairman Trevor Holtom said the new facility would provide much-needed space for its 600 members.
“We are hoping the new centre will help attract new members to the club and encourage members who have left in the past to come back to the club,” he said.
Mayor Glenn Dewhurst said it was the first time the city had partnered with a community organisation to deliver such a project for the region.
“Thornlie is due for some fresh, new community facilities and this Lotterywest grant will go a long way to creating a centre for the whole community to enjoy,” he said.
“The city is working closely with user groups and potential user groups as it develops the new centre to ensure it best meets the needs of our community.”
Member for Thornlie Chris Tallentire said the new centre would be a great boost for the local area and the construction would create plenty of work for local trades.
The project has been boosted by a $2.4 million grant from the Federal Government and $1 million from the Thornlie Bowls Club.
Construction is expected to start in 2019.
