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[confusedcious]

The library in the Parks Community Centre, which, in the last state budget just a few days ago has been scheduled for demolition with the land to be resold for housing development.

This centre is a brilliant community resource in an area that really needs it, it is also used by people who travel a considerable distance to get there from what I have been reading. It is home to at least eighty community groups that support the disabled, carers, the elderly, new arrivals to Australia, those recovering from addiction and much, much more. Fantastic range of facilities and services available. A bit run down - yes. But it needs renovation, maybe even rebuilding - certainly not demolition!

The government says it'll build a services centre to replace the state government services lost but not providing space for the services run by the council. These include...

(Forgive me if list incomplete (which I am sure it is) or if I make other errors, doing this off the top of my head)

- A library that provides not only the lending services but a location for disability, cultural and other support groups; English as a Second Language classes (very important given the high number of new arrivals to Australia in the area), both free and TAFE-run; access to a JP once a week; literacy programs for children; basic computer and internet training (free); computer and internet access for many who have no other point of access - and much more. From my first-hand experiences I can tell you this library is very much needed.

- A sports centre, which as I understand it is essential to the continuation of both inline hockey and roller derby in Adelaide, and provides affordable access to fitness services for many.

- A swimming pool with indoor and outdoor facilities that runs swimming classes for many, many children and especilly with the likely closure for renovation of the Adelaide Swimming Centre is the only such public facility in a very, very long way.

- Theatre and cinema facilities. The theatre facilities are particularly good and well used from everything I have heard and even allow amateur groups access to a location where they can perform in the round

- Arts and crafts facilities that include a workshop where wooden toys are made for disadvantaged children, and another which helps those who have had a really tough time reconnect and find something they can take some pride in.

No doubt much more.

Possibly worse is the news that the land was in fact sold some time ago, but it appears nobody found out until the last couple of days.

This makes me really, really angry. There was a rally today, organised a bit last minute but I have heard it was a great success. I've also seen at least two or three separate petitions circulating. Local and state newspapers have taken up the cause, as have radio stations, and there has been quite a bit of TV coverage as well. Here's hoping the government comes to its senses and finds a way to save this centre.

I have seen a plan that was put up a few years ago - it involved selling some of the large open spaces for housing and such but retaining several playing fields. It also involved renovation of the existing facilities. While I don't know the details, that plan has got to be a thousand times better than killing off the centre altogether.

If anyone is interested, almost all of the resources I have come across are linked through this facebook group, though it may be a bit of a trawl to get through all of the material.