Construction is set to begin on a new community centre for Werribee West.

Wyndham City has awarded the construction contract for the Black Forest Rd South Community Centre (interim name), with construction to commence in early 2023.

The $13.7 million centre will feature three kindergarten rooms, a play space and associated amenities, three Maternal and Child Health consulting suites, two multipurpose community rooms, two meeting rooms, a community kitchen, storage and office space.

Located along Charlwood Promenade within Werribee’s Harpley Estate, the community centre will be co-located with Lollypop Creek Primary School P-6 and is adjacent to the mixed-use zone and employment precinct which form part of the town centre.

Wyndham City’s City Design portfolio holder, Cr Josh Gilligan (pictured), said the centre would improve access to high quality early childhood services for young Werribee families and provide flexible spaces for a range of community programs and services.

“Community centres are essential places of connection and support for families,” said Cr Gilligan.

“The Black Forest Road South Community Centre will provide the Werribee community with a safe, warm and enticing place where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather, connect and engage.”

“As Wyndham’s population increases, the demand for early education services increases – and the Black Forest Road South Community Centre will help meet this demand in this growing pocket of Werribee West.”

The centre is expected to be operational in mid-2024, with the kindergarten to be operated by one of Wyndham’s five carefully selected Early Years Partners – One Tree Community Services.

The project is supported by a $2.5 million Building Blocks grant and a $1.3 million Growing Suburbs Fund grant from the State Government.