PYRAMID Hill just moved its community services into the 21st century – and hopefully beyond – with the official opening of the $3.2 million first stage of the town’s community centre.
And with stage two well and truly on the drawing board to make space for the Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House and local library services, things are only going to get better.
There is also an ambitious long-term plan for a third stage, which will include a community gym and additional storage, and more spaces for community groups.
Cutting the ribbon last Thursday, Loddon mayor Dan Straub said the extensively upgraded former Pyramid Hill Senior Citizens’ Centre delivered locals a multi-purpose facility with a cutting-edge health wing to be run by Northern District Community Health.
Cr Straub said the opening ceremony celebrated a decade-long journey which began when the shire and the senior citizens agreed the existing McKay Street building provided the ideal setting for a much grander, more effective multipurpose community asset.
“In 2020 a masterplan was finalised and with $2.4 million of Victorian government funding the next year work began on stage one.
“Loddon Shire added $700,000 to the project, along with another $100,000 from NDCH to complete the package.”
NDCH chief executive Penny Wilkinson said with the four consultation rooms built around the meeting rooms and green spaces, the new complex provided Pyramid Hill and surrounds with one of the finest regional/rural healthcare complexes in the north of the state.
She said NDCH is all about delivering grassroots healthcare services face-to-face by “promoting health and connection” in communities such as Pyramid Hill. “Our organisation delivers a combination of healthcare services, including nursing, allied health, occupational therapy and physiotherapy,” Penny said.
“And NDCH is excited providing even more services to Pyramid Hill through this amazing new complex as we move forward,” she said.
Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, whose work in helping get the project off the ground was recognised as pivotal by Loddon Shire chief executive Lincoln Fitzgerald, said seeing towns such as Pyramid Hill finally open the doors on a project of this scope is a credit to the whole community.
Mr Walsh said it started with the senior citizens having the vision to realise not just the need for the service but their role in handing over their own rooms to make it all happen is a “perfect example of a community which works for everyone’s benefit”.
“I am delighted to have been here today and see the ribbon cut, these things don’t happen overnight, and there are still stages to come, but we are going in the right direction and everyone involved can take a bow for a job very well done,” he added.
“Now let’s get stages two and three funded and realise the complete vision.”