A new community centre named in honour of one of the ACT’s most vocal disability advocates, the late Sue Salthouse, will open next month.
The ACT Government-funded Salthouse Community Centre will provide a shared space for creativity, learning and connection in Haig Park, Braddon.
“The centre has been named the Salthouse Community Centre to recognise the late Sue Salthouse and her advocacy for people – particularly women – with a disability,” said Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.
Ms Salthouse was awarded the ACT’s 2020 Senior Australian of the Year for her work, before she was tragically killed in a road accident later that year. She was 71 years of age.
“This inclusive centre in Haig Park is befitting of Sue Salthouse’s important legacy. The accessible building reflects her tireless advocacy for people with a disability and ensures future generations will continue to be touched by her work,” the Chief Minister said.
“This centre continues the evolution of Haig Park into an exciting and family-friendly destination, with important flow-on impacts for businesses in the nearby precinct.
“The modern centre is an adaptive reuse of the park’s 1950s depot shed, enabling an array of community activities, from recycled wood and brick materials to wheelchair-accessible rooms and other inclusive features, the facility has a special focus on both sustainability and accessibility.”
The Chief Minister said the centre had an important focus on inclusivity, in line with Ms Salthouse’s legacy.
Its features include:
- a large multi-purpose room for gatherings
- a large community room for creative workshops
- another meeting room
- one ambulant and two wheelchair-accessible bathrooms
- a kitchenette with servery
- a wheelchair-accessible barbecue and picnic tables
- a public garden for meeting and rest
Northside Community Service will run the Salthouse Community Centre and are planning a community open day in the coming weeks. This will be an opportunity for the community to explore the new centre, which is nestled into the beautiful park landscape north of Mort Street in Braddon, said Chief Minister Barr.
The centre is initiative of the ACT Government’s City Renewal Authority and was inspired by community feedback as part of the Haig Park Experiments project.
More information on the Salthouse Community Centre can be found on the City Renewal Authority website.
