RESIDENTS, community groups and businesses in Helensburgh will soon have access to indoor meeting spaces in the village centre with the reopening of Helensburgh Community Rooms at 26A Walker St.

The reopening comes after Helensburgh Community Centre was closed in December 2021 due to mould and other issues affecting parts of the ageing facility.

Following in-depth site investigations, the north-eastern section of the building was found to be repairable, and works have been undertaken to replace a portion of the roof, update flooring and equip the space for community use.

Helensburgh Community Rooms will reopen to the public from 1 January, and will be a well-equipped, multipurpose facility featuring a large and small meeting room and an office space available for hire seven days a week from 7.00am-midnight, with a maximum capacity of 60. For those who are keen to get their reservations in early, bookings are now open.

Wollongong City Council’s Director of Community Services Kerry Hunt said the main hall and several rooms linked to the main entry foyer will remain closed and off-limits due to isolated building issues in this portion of the building.

“While we’re working through the plans for a brand-new, integrated Community Centre and Library for Helensburgh and surrounds, having community spaces available now is a message we have heard loud and clear from Helensburgh residents and community groups,” she said.

“We’ve worked hard to respond to this need, and I’m delighted that we are ahead of schedule with this refurbishment and fit-out for the residents of Helensburgh.”

The facility has been given a few more years of life while Council works to deliver a new Community Centre and Library at 53 – 55 Walker Street. Once completed, the current Helensburgh Library site at 57 Walker Street will be sold to help cover the cost of the new facility.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said Council recognises that community facilities play an important role in community life.

“Whether it’s space for a meeting, fitness class, book club or workshop, these spaces are the ‘glue’ that bind our community together,” Cr Brown said.

“We are pleased to have started on the planning for the new centre while also being able to offer enhanced spaces for Helensburgh residents to use in the short-term.”

Bookings for the Helensburgh Community Rooms can be made by calling Thirroul Community Centre on 4227 8181 or online.

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