Libraries change lives | ourballarat spring 2022

When she talks about the positive impact a new purpose-built Library and Learning Centre at Wendouree’s Weeramar Park would have on the local community, Jenny Fink’s eyes light up.

“This will be a transformational project. Residents here need and deserve this kind of facility. It will be life-changing for so many people.”

Jenny is the City of Ballarat’s Libraries and Lifelong Learning Executive Manager and she’s talking about the City of Ballarat’s plans for a new $23 million Wendouree Library and Learning Centre to replace the existing Wendouree Library.

The new facility would be enjoyed by residents from across the northern suburbs, including the newly identified northern growth zone at Mt Rowan, and cater to existing patrons from surrounding suburbs including Wendouree, Wendouree West, Lake Wendouree, Alfredton, Lake Gardens and Miners Rest.

“Imagine a warm, easily accessible and safe space where people of all ages and abilities can study, learn life skills, access the internet, relax and read, and socialise and connect with other people,” Jenny says.

“This library and community hub would be open seven days a week and offers meeting spaces for community groups.

“The northern part of our municipality has nothing like that. We’re hoping the Victorian and Australian Governments will partner with us to deliver what would be an incredible community heart for this area.”

The existing Wendouree Library is well loved by patrons. However, its small size and difficult location means it has major limitations.

“There’s no room to expand, there are no separate meeting spaces, no toilets for staff or patrons and only three computers available for public use,” Jenny says.

“A new bigger, purpose-built facility with a community kitchen, maker space and community garden will give us the opportunity to offer new complementary learning, wellbeing and literacy programs," Jenny says.

“We’ll also be able to increase the number of life skills and adult digital literacy classes as well as family specific programs like Baby Bounce, Storytime and Little Languages.”

Describing it as a long overdue investment, Jenny says a new easily accessible library and learning centre would provide services for around 41,000 people, including those moving into new homes in the northern growth zone in the next 10 years.

Pam Pollard agrees. The long-time Wendouree resident and book lover has been a regular at the Wendouree Library for the past 30 years.

Pam has seen the concept designs and is excited by the centre’s potential.

“It would be brilliant to have the new library open seven days a week and after hours. This will be a gamechanger for this area,” Pam says.

A first round of community engagement sessions to discuss the plans with residents and library users was held earlier this year, with further drop-in sessions planned this month.

George Nooromplakal and his family have been visiting Wendouree Library since the day they moved to Ballarat in 2017.

"Both our kids love going to the library. Adriel has been coming since she was two months old and Patrick since he was born," he says.

"The Wendouree Library is an important part of our life. The plans for the new library are breathtaking."

Please note: Construction figures in this edition of ourballarat are based on current prices which may be subject to change due to market conditions.