The City of Casey has breathed new life into the heritage-listed, original Hampton Park Primary School building by turning it into a great community workspace for the Hampton Park Men’s Shed.
The building was facing demolition in 2016 as part of the Department of Education and Training’s (DET) redevelopment of Hampton Park Primary School to modernise the school buildings.
Following a passionate community campaign to save the building, which was supported by the City of Casey, council accepted a proposal by the School and DET for the building to be gifted to the City of Casey and relocated onto Council land in Marjorie Eastick Reserve, Hampton Park.
Following the relocation, Council invested $350,000 in refurbishing and extending the building to transform it into a community facility, now known as the Hampton Park Primary School Community Workspace, which is currently being leased by the Hampton Park Men’s Shed.
City of Casey Deputy Mayor Cr Wayne Smith BJ JP officially opened the rejuvenated facility on Saturday 22 September amongst members of the Hampton Park community including the daughter of the original builder.
“The building was constructed in 1922 and was one of the few buildings left in the suburb that survived the early development of Hampton Park,” Cr Smith said.
“Having served the local community for more than 90 years, Council is thrilled to have been able to ensure the building remained a valuable community asset and give it a new lease on life.”
City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett said Council was proud to reach a great outcome for the community.
“The school and wider community were passionate about saving this building, and Council is proud that we were able to assist and ensure it remained in Hampton Park,” Cr Ablett said.
“Currently home to the Hampton Park Men’s Shed, this facility will provide a positive and supportive environment for men to meet and work on projects and provide opportunities to support men’s health, wellbeing and social interaction.”
