The Centre is the largest Community Centre of its kind in Australia, housing a wide range of community organisations and programs.
The Collingwood Football Club Foundation and the City of Yarra have been working together over the past five years to convert the Bob Rose Social Club Building at Victoria Park into a major new community hub.
Collingwood President Eddie McGuire officially opened the Centre at a special celebration on the terraces of the old Collingwood Social Club at Victoria Park.
"This is a very proud day for our club and for everyone involved in this fantastic project," McGuire said.
“The Bob Rose Social Club Building has been transformed into a major new community hub that will make a real difference to the lives of people in our community.
“Collingwood has a long and proud history of social responsibility at Victoria Park. Our club won football matches here, but just as importantly it helped and supported people, it treated everyone with respect and it welcomed all regardless of their status in society. ‘Side by Side We Stick Together’ became our mantra.
"The Collingwood Football Club Community Centre will continue that history.”
Mayor of Yarra, Cr Jackie Fristacky said: “The completion of the community hub symbolises an exciting new chapter for Victoria Park. The partnership between Council and the Collingwood Football Club Foundation has brought Victoria Park back to life, not only as a major sport and recreation ground, but as a space where young people and families can access essential services and support.
"We are also proud that the park’s restoration was last year recognised at the Parks and Leisure Australia Awards, winning the national parks award, and this year, winning an award at the Civil Contractors Federation Earth Awards.
"With the community hub complete, Council has achieved its aim of returning Victoria Park to the people of Yarra and hopefully revived some of the same passion and community spirit from the park’s much-treasured past.”
The building now houses a range of community organisations including Collingwood Headspace, Evolve, The Collingwood Toy Library, AFL Sportsready, Artsready, Eating Disorders Victoria and goworkskills.com.
