Carlton Community Centre (Kathleen Syme Centre) & Library
Carlton’s first primary school on the corner of Cardigan and Faraday Sts the Kathleen Syme Centre (KSC) is now in the hands of City of Melbourne. Currently there are no library services in 3053 and the CRA is reduced to meeting wherever a free space is provided - above restaurants or in back rooms. It is a disgrace that the provision of community spaces in Carlton has been sidelined by successive councils for a decade. We now have an opportunity to create a community space.
The current situation:
City of Melbourne now has the Kathleen Syme Centre and is in the process of deciding its future use.
Informal consultations across the community over many years identified a range of potential community and commercial uses:
- a library/resource centre to address learning needs
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large, all weather spaces for meetings / cultural, social and commercial events/book launchesexhibitions/ performances/ rehearsals/workshops/ music and drama
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space for 200 plus people for public, private & commercial events, in particular for the communities from the Horn of Africa – e.g. to accommodate weddings and funerals, all-weather craft markets,etc
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toy library
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tool library
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visitor centre
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a space for short term child care / homework groups / crèche
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space for Community Learning, e.g. CAE , RTOs
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a Carlton history display, including the Office of Housing “pink room” arts project currently in storage
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a Carlton Football Club display
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space for a business incubator
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community/arts incubator
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small and large meetings spaces for local clubs and groups
- space for arts, literature, fine arts displays
- space for activities to foster international student relationships with the Carlton community
- coffee shop, a non-profit restaurant or other commercial rentals.
If you have any ideas please contact us carltonresidents@gmail.com
the background:
- Good attendance at protest
Read the Media Release here
- Download the KSC.pdf & read the detailed issues.
- Download the correspondence between CRA and the Minister
Click here to read the CRA's media release concerning the latest developments on its push to have a community centre and library in Carlton
A Vision for Carlton
Community Infrastructure for Carlton
THE FOLLOWING LINKS CONTAIN NEWSPAPER ARTICLES AND LETTERS REGARDING ISSUES WITH THE CARLTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
