Capel community hub has youth focus

Construction of Stage 3 of the Capel Civic Precinct is officially under way at Earl Scott Reserve and is expected to be completed in less than six months.

Work began on Friday to transform the site into a community hub by the end of the financial year – complete with an all-abilities playground, nature play space, barbecues, shelters and a formal amphitheatre.

The precinct will also boast a youth recreation space – which will feature a basketball half court – and a skateable link will be constructed between the existing skatepark and Forrest Road.

Perkins contract administrator Stewart Ferguson said the construction company was pleased to be awarded the tender for the project.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Perkins to work with the Shire of Capel again,” he said.

“We have worked with them a few times and it’s going to be a really good rejuvenation project for the centre of town.”

Capel shire president Murray Scott said after “a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing” to make the project happen, it was exciting to see work get under way.

“At the end of the day I know it’s a bit of a pain to make a gain, as the saying goes, and within six months time, it should be up and ready,” he said.

“Once this is done we will move on to somewhere else, another town in our shire and work through the next process.”

Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray said it was important Capel’s facilities grew with its population.

“It’s great to see all the fences up and the project under way,” he said.

“It attracts people into the smaller country towns which we must do and gives enough momentum to bring people in and then provide other facilities as well.

“This is the lead and from that will come jobs.

“That is my main push is the local jobs that will come out of it so people don’t have to travel.”