Shire of Wandering hatches plan to upgrade community centre after bucking the trend with population growth

The Shire of Wandering is planning to upgrade its community centre after it recorded the greatest population growth among southern Wheatbelt shires in the latest census. The Wandering Community Centre was built in 1986 and is used by local tennis, cricket and bowling clubs along with the Lions club and the local Country Women’s Association. The Shire recently recorded the highest population growth in the southern Wheatbelt, with a 20.49 per cent increase from 444 in 2016 to 535 in 2021, according to the 2021 census. Shire president Ian Turton said the proposed upgrades would modernise the building. “The users of the community centre...identified some time ago that the community centre, which was built in the 1980s, was in need of an upgrade to modernise the building,” he said. “It can then serve the needs of the current and future population of the Wandering community and community groups that regularly use the building and surrounding sporting facilities.” The proposal includes an extension of the existing kitchen and construction of a new storeroom, new change rooms and refurbishment of the existing toilets to incorporate universal access. It also involves the construction of a new veranda overlooking the oval, installation of a universal access ramp from the community centre to the oval, and new sports amenities and storage space. “The whole community will benefit from the changes, as it will improve the usability of the building and provide upgraded facilities to the regular users and user groups of the community centre and associated sporting facilities in the precinct,” Cr Turton said. A community centre upgrade committee was formed at the Shire’s June council meeting, consisting of three residents and three councillors, to guide the project. The committee is still in the planning stages and is working on the cost, funding options and concept plans. “It is an iconic building in the centre of Wandering that over its life has become the heart of the Wandering townsite,” Cr Turton said. “The Shire and the community centre upgrade committee are looking forward to seeing the delivery of the project that will provide benefits to the community for many years to come.”