Springvale hub under way

Heang Tak, Sean O''Reilly and Youhorn Chea at the works site. 183393_01 Picture: GARY SISSONS

The first sod has been turned on Springvale’s new library and community recreation precinct.

Mayor Youhorn Chea, with councillors Sean O’Reilly and Heang Tak, kicked off construction at the site of the former civic centre on 8 August.

The project replaces the existing library and demolished civic centre with a modern leisure facility with a 5 Star Green Star rating.

It will include a world-class library, rooftop solar and landscaped green spaces for events and gatherings.

During construction, the existing library is expected to remain open, engineering services director Julie Reid told a Greater Dandenong council meeting on 14 August.

To facilitate this, a buffer has been made from the construction zone, and a new library entrance has been created.

When the new facility is built, the current library will be demolished, Ms Reid said.

The $50 million project – which includes the recent renovations of the neighbouring Springvale Town Hall – is expected to be finished by 2020.