Springvale Community Hub is living up to its promise of becoming the new community heart of Springvale, providing the community with a safe and inclusive space for a range of activities.
Since opening to the public gradually once restrictions eased in 2020, the hub has had 120,000 visitors through its doors.
Council has welcomed the positive feedback from members of the public and is proud the site is attracting the attention of industry leaders in design, public architecture and sustainability.
As the popularity of the hub continues to grow, patrons have reflected on the benefits of having such an accessible space that is truly welcoming and safe for all. Mayor Angela Long said it was pleasing to see the outcomes of the detailed plans come to fruition.
“During consultation for the hub, the community told us they wanted an area that was safe for them to enjoy. It’s pleasing to see the initiatives we put in place are achieving this goal, and we’ve made a commitment to regularly monitor that our patrons continue to feel safe,” Cr Long said.
“The precinct was designed with lots of exit points, CCTV, and an emphasis on good lighting. We also minimised places where people can hide, including ensuring plants won’t impede views of patrons by selecting trees with high trunk lines.”
The hub is accessible for all members of the community and offers programs during the day, night and weekends, making the safety features even more important.
“Bright and far reaching lighting on our paths and projected through the big screen means walking through the area is safe at all times,” Cr Long said.
On June 18 Springvale Community Hub received the William Wardell Award for Public Architecture and Award for Urban Design in the 2021 Victorian Architectural Awards. The hub was also nominated for the Sustainability and the Melbourne Prize.
