After almost two years of building work, the Greek Community of Box Hill and Districts (GOCBHD) is in the process of completing its new Community Cultural Centre.
Like most Greek community associations, GOCBHD’s membership is now largely made up of the elderly, with few active younger members, but the new centre has been designed to change that trend.
In order to address the issues raised by the organisation’s evolving demographic, the Community carried out detailed consultations with groups who used the premises, such as senior citizens, teachers in the Greek language school and its students, and local people.
Nick Farlecas, president of GOCBHD, said he was “very proud and relieved” to see the building nearing completion.
“We wanted to do something for the community’s future. There were many consultations, we put on fundraising events and used our savings but we also had to take out a loan,” he said.
In addition to the loan of $1.8 million, the Community contributed its own capital, while a grant of $600,000 from the Victorian government made up the rest.
The result is a two-storey building incorporating a multi-purpose hall with kitchen, child care centre and flexible areas suitable for meetings and social events.
While the facility will cater mainly for the needs of the language school, the rooms will be able to double up for use by private and commercial groups.
Jim Darmous, a member of GOCBHD and project manager for the construction, said the biggest challenges faced as the Community’s dream turned into bricks and mortar was “keeping the costs down, getting value for money, and monitoring the quality”.
“The structure’s up, the roof’s on, and the internal fit out is underway. It’s all good,” he said.
