Town hall facelift on the way

By Casey Neill

A near-$50 million transformation for Springvale’s heart is taking shape.
At the Monday 22 August Greater Dandenong Council meeting, councillors unveiled concept drawings for a revitalised Springvale Community Precinct at 397-405 Springvale Road.
They decided that Lyons Architecture should build the project’s $40 million second stage, due for completion in 2020 and to include a library, meeting spaces and outdoor areas.
It will replace the former council chambers.
Councillors also decided that McCorkell Construction would complete the project’s $7.6 million first stage – refurbishing the Springvale Town Hall.
Work, which will start in October and is due for completion next June, will include new heating and cooling, improved lighting and sound, and a deck.
“Springvale City Hall is a much-used and well-loved part of Springvale used by community groups on a regular basis,” Cr Sean O’Reilly said.
“It will be integrated into the Springvale library and civic precinct.
“The Springvale City Hall will continue to keep its character, but it will be as good as new.”
He said stage two would transform Springvale.
“Springvale will be reborn with this $40 million project,” he said.
“It’s great to see Springvale moving ahead in leaps and bounds.
“It’s just on paper now, it’s just plans, but it is funded.
“Sprouting from these plans I can see the transformation of Springvale.”
Cr O’Reilly said the Spirit of Enterprise project, a tribute to the Enterprise Hostel, would feature within the civic centre, as would the Springvale and District Historical Society.
He held up a book on Springvale’s history.
“I’ve renewed it from the library a few times, I must admit,” he said.
“There will need to be a part two written. These projects will no doubt be part of it.”
Roz Blades said Springvale residents had been wondering when their turn would be, with Dandenong’s revitalisation well underway, and she was thrilled with the project.
Cr Matthew Kirwan said the proposed two-storey central foyer would encourage use “and also perception of the new building as both a library and a community hub”.
“This building is more than a library,” he said.
“It will be a place for people to visit exhibitions, attend short courses, participate in arts activities …
“This design creates a new, well thought out central park for Springvale – important after the loss of part of Ericksen Gardens – and preserves all the significant vegetation including river red gums.”
Greater Dandenong Mayor Heang Tak said proceeds from selling the council’s disused Springvale depot would help to fund the project.
“The council will also seek government funding for the project,” he said.
CEO John Bennie will now negotiate with Lyons to finalise the contract price.
Engineering services director Julie Reid said the detailed design phase would also start.
“We will start to discuss with council the detail behind the space internally. That will happen over the coming months,” she said.
“Later this year and early next year we will start to bed that down.”
Take a look at the designer’s concept for the precinct:

Springvale set for a massive transformation.