Playgroup celebrates building reopening

Families flowed into Baldivis Playgroup last week to celebrate the historic building’s renovations and reopening.

The building, on the corner of Fifty Road and Baldivis Road, was built in 1923 and served as Baldivis’ first primary school before becoming a playgroup in 1979.

The playgroup shut its doors in December last year and interior and exterior renovation and conservation works began in February.

Baldivis Playgroup president Kirsten Bosly said last Tuesday’s opening was “beyond” successful.

“The way the hall was before, it wasn’t in the best state possible and now because of the renovations we will be around for decades to come,” she said.

“We didn’t know how many people were going to come, we thought we might get quite a few people but we had close to 150 families turn up on the day, the queue was out and into the carpark — we couldn’t believe how many people turned up.”

Mrs Bosly said before the renovations the centre was open three days a week and serviced 40 families.

“At this point now all of our morning groups, five days a week, are full to capacity and now we are discussing the possibility of adding extra sessions,” she said.

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the renovations included stump replacements, new roof beams and gutters, a flooring renovation and new wall cladding. Asbestos awnings and wall lining were removed and replaced and a termite treatment was applied.

Cr Sammels said preserving elements of Rockingham’s early history was important and provided residents with an appreciation for how much things have changed over time.

“It gives us a glimpse of what life used to be like in the past,” he said.

Cr Sammels said an estimated $300,000 of capital funding and a Lotterywest grant of $48,126 was needed to complete renovations on two buildings on the site.