Official opening of Spalding Revitalisation Project celebrates rejuvenation of public space for community

The City of Greater Geraldton will mark the official completion and opening of the first two stages of the Spalding Revitalisation Project on Wednesday, a $5.2 million venture aimed at rejuvenating the heart of Spalding.

Stage one and two works were part of the State Government’s $9 million Spalding Regional Renewal Project.

The project is focused on creating a safe, inclusive, accessible, well connected and sustainable central hub, where the community can come together to celebrate in a parkland setting.

While the Department of Communities focused on stage one, the refurbishing of public housing and improving connectivity through the creation of new roads, the city concentrated on stage two.

The Mitchell Street Community Centre and surrounding areas is considered to be the heart of the suburb.

Construction works for stage two began in May last year and was completed in December.

The $5.2 million project was jointly funded with the State Government providing $4.9 million (in grant funding) and the city contributing the remainder.

A grant of more than $1.4 million from Lotterywest funded the construction of an adventure playground, basketball court, public art, yarning circle, covered picnic nodes, new pathways and landscaping and a bush tucker garden.

Alongside the development of the park, surrounding streets have been given an injection of life through the planting of trees.

Staff from the Department of Communities, Centacare and the City of Greater Geraldton along with Community Nursery volunteers planted 100 seedlings and three small trees in the new space.