Library with the lot

YOUNG people in Hampton Park have a new place to go for reading, activities and personal development with the recent opening of two community facilities.
City of Casey mayor Lorraine Wreford joined the Minister for Community Development, Lily D’Ambrosio on 30 October in officially opening of the Hampton Park Library extension and the new Hampton Park Youth Information Centre.
The library extension is 280 square metres and the Youth Information Centre is 160 square metres in size.
The Youth Information Centre has its own entrance but connects with the library through a meeting room.
The design is intended to allow shared, flexible use of the floorspace between the two service providers.
Cr Wreford said the co-location of the facilities was a clever use of space and resources which would allow the library and Council’s youth services team to better respond to the needs of the local community.
“Council wants Casey’s young people to have as many advantages as possible, to be switched on, informed, capable and confident. We want them to feel supported, to be kept from harm, to be able to compete for a job and to have great lives,” she said.“Here in Hampton Park, the extension of the library services and the provision of youth services are important steps towards this and it is what the people of Hampton Park have asked for in community consultation conducted by Hampton Park Community Renewal.
The new Youth Information Centre has allowed the council to strengthen its services on offer for Casey’s young people including the provision of a full-time Youth Support Worker at the centre and additional programs.
Cr Wreford said the council was grateful for the partnerships and funding that made the $1.262million building project possible.
The Hampton Park Library extension was a joint project with the council contributing $399,500 through funds provided by SITA and the Victorian Government contributed $399,500 through its Living Libraries Program.
The Youth Information Centre was built at a total cost of $463,000 with the council’s contribution being $348,000, including $100,000 via SITA, and $115,000 from the Victorian Government through the Community Renewal Program.
Cr Wreford said “I would also like to acknowledge the partnership and assistance of the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation; it is so pleasing to see organisations from across sectors working together to provide much-needed facilities and services for the community.