Bright start for Community Learning Centre at Manor Lakes

Manor Lakes residents have a vibrant new hub of education, recreation and support services on their doorstep with the opening of the Wyndham Vale Community Learning Centre in July.

Amongst the first of the new facilities to open its doors on 4th July was the state-of-the-art Wyndham Vale Library, featuring a large, open floor-space further enhanced by plentiful natural light. It is an aesthetically appealing, user-friendly environment for visitors, equipped with the latest technology and internal decor.

Library Coordinator Libby Bernard said that the Library’s initial materials comprised around 32,000 books, CDs and DVDs.

“We will build those numbers up to about 40,000 to keep up to date with all the latest popular titles,” she explained.

In addition to its sizeable array of resource material, the Library is also offering a number of ongoing special programs including Story Time for children aged 3-6 and Rhyme Time (0-3 years) at designated times during the week to aid early development.

Located as an adjunct to the Library, the Community Learning Room is equipped with sufficient workstations for businesses to conduct small training courses and already hosts a regular drop-in Information Technology basic instruction session every Thursday from 10am to noon.

Not surprisingly, Libby confirmed that the new Library has generated very favourable feedback from the local community and its range of special programs and activities have been well attended. Patronage will only continue to grow as more people become familiar with how impressive and beneficial the new resource facility is.

“Of course, one of the best things about the Library is that everything we offer is free,” she notes.  

The Library is open from six days a week from Monday to Saturday and has a full-time staff of four and one part-time employee, with additional assistance provided by a team of seven customer service officers.

In addition to the Library, other facilities at the complex which progressively opened during July included a Youth Lounge and Maternal & Child Health services, as part of a wide-ranging Children’s & Youth Services program.  There are also Conference Rooms which can be configured to suit all types of business forums or group gatherings.

The Centre has already attracted a range of recreational and fitness opportunities, as hosts of the Manor Lakes Dance Theatre, Manor Lakes Walking Group and classes in Calisthenics, Zumba, Pilates, Singing and Keyboard.

Hospitality is also on the menu, with the Saffron Kitchen providing a morning tea and community lunch every Tuesday. Religious services are conducted at the Centre on Sundays by the Melbourne Revival Centre at 10am and Newstart Church of Christ at 5pm.

The Wyndham Vale Community Centre will be fully operational when the kindergarten facilities are ready for opening which is expected for the commencement of Term One in 2012.