New community hub and kindergarten in Alfredton officially open

The City of Ballarat’s newest community asset is open and ready to thrive.

The new community hub and kindergarten in Alfredton was officially opened on Wednesday, with City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Des Hudson welcoming Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison for a ribbon cutting and tour of the facility.

The Donegal Drive facility will prove a valuable asset for the rapidly-evolving western suburbs, boasting three kindergarten rooms, as well as two further community rooms, a meeting room, and associated staff facilities.

The kindergarten rooms will support children in Alfredton and surrounding areas to be ‘school ready’ and cater for up to 99 children at one time.

There are already more than 50 children currently enrolled in three and four-year-old funded kindergarten at the hub. The kindergarten will continue to accept enrolments and expand sessions as needed throughout the year. Attendance at funded kindergarten is free in Victoria for all three and four-year old children.  

The community meeting spaces will be publicly available to service the growth areas and provide spaces for education, training, events and social connections.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was a thrill to cut the ribbon on the new facility.

“Not only does this facility look incredible, but it also delivers so much community benefit in Ballarat’s west,” he said.

“Already we are seeing dozens of families using the kindergarten and the smiles on the children’s faces are terrific to see.

“The community is hub is still in its infancy and I can’t wait to see it once it is firing on all cylinders.”

The project has a budget commitment of $9.9 million, inclusive of $2.25 million from the State Government’s 2022-23 Building Blocks Capacity Building Grants.

The official name of the facility is currently in the final stages of being formalised, following a period of public consultation earlier this year.

Further information will be provided to community members wishing to tour the facility in the coming weeks, with a Community Welcome Day expected to be held in April.

All children enrolled in a funded kindergarten service are eligible for 15 hours of free kindergarten each week as part of the state government’s Free Kinder program, with enrolments still being taken for the 2024 year.

For any queries regarding kindergarten throughout Ballarat, please visit the City of Ballarat kindergarten page, or contact 5320 5720.

For more information about community use of the community hub in Alfredton, visit the facility’s page on the City of Ballarat website.