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Time to face the music: Band music director Bill Belcher and Blacktown City Band members are excited about the move to Lalor Park Community Hub, which will be completed soon. Picture: Natalie Roberts
Time to face the music: Band music director Bill Belcher and Blacktown City Band members are excited about the move to Lalor Park Community Hub, which will be completed soon. Picture: Natalie Roberts

NEWS that Lalor Park Community Hub will soon open its doors is music to the ears of Blacktown City Band.

It's one of many groups that will relocate to the hub when construction is completed.

The hub is expected to be ready for public use in February.
The former senior citizens centre has been transformed into a multi-purpose space with tailored services to meet the changing community needs in and around Lalor Park.

"The design has been shaped by consultation with residents, community groups and representatives from services to identify the types of spaces required," mayor Stephen Bali said.

It's the sixth community hub Blacktown Council has set up since it developed an innovative model for flexible and multi-purpose community facilities in 2008.

Groups and community representatives got a sneak peek of the new facility on Friday, where construction staff were working on the ceiling in the hall.

After 40 years at Blacktown Showground, Blacktown City Band is ready for a fresh start.

A part of the hub will be exclusively used by the band two nights a week.

"It offers the advantage of being close to an estate where we can recruit new members," band music director Bill Belcher said.
"We can teach people to play as we've got the instruments to do that. Going into a quality building is for the betterment of the band."

Community group Common Groundz will run barista training in the new facility.

"The hub has created a big buzz everywhere — it's the talk of the town," community artist Danielle Rawnsley-Galistan said.

"It's been needed for at least five years. The community has started to work together as a team so there's a big need for groups to serve the community better."

Mrs Rawnsley-Galistan is in talks with the council to develop art programs at the hub.

The council plans to build a Men's Shed at the site.

A community day will be held early next year to celebrate the opening.

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