One stop shop for young and old

The $24.2 million Clayton Community Centre is Victoria’s largest community facility. It is also a vibrant ‘one-stop-shop’, where people of all ages can access and enjoy a whole host of activities and services.

Monash City Council received a $1 million Victorian Community Support Grant towards the centre’s construction. The project aimed to renew the urban and social fabric of the suburb of Clayton and its neighbourhoods.

Jayni Grace, who manages the shared-services facility as its dedicated coordinator, believes it has achieved this objective.

"Members of the Clayton community are very happy with Clayton Community Centre", said Jayni. "They love to come here because there are so many facilities in the one building for them to use and it is close to the local shopping area and public transport."

So, what goes on in this ‘one-stop-shop’?

Services include:

• an aquatic and health club – including fully-equipped gymnasium
• public library
• 132 seat theatrette
• pre-school and child care
• youth and family services
• community health services
• meeting rooms
• café
  

All these facilities have been designed through close consultation with the local community. The Clayton Community Action Plan, also developed in close consultation with the local community, continues to identify ways that the Clayton Community Centre can better serve its community.

Through listening to the community’s needs, the Clayton Community Centre has been a success. Since it opened in 2008, there has been a marked increase in local participation. Just look at the Clayton Library, which has seen a 34% growth in visits, 13% increase in new memberships and 77% increase in library program attendances!

To cater for Clayton’s diverse community, services are provided in different languages, with multi-lingual resources made available.

Read more about the Community Support Grants.