Riverside Community Based Support Riverside Hub opens

After undergoing construction for more than six months, the former Riverside bowls club is set to begin its new life as a community support hub for CBS clients.

READ MORE: 250 contacts of Tasmania's COVID case

The updated facility includes a new kitchen, flooring, disability toilets and bathroom facilities as well as a new pathway and accessibility ramp.

The bowls club, within walking distance of the Riverside Aquatic Centre and golf course, was left vacant in 2014 after it merged with the Trevallyn Bowls Club.

CBS chief executive Allyson Warrington said the new Hub was an exciting development for all of its Northern clients.

"We certainly needed a better facility in Launceston for our clients and the new hub provides that," she said.

"It gives us the opportunity to deliver our programs in the hub, as well as other social activities outside and around the facility.

READ MORE: Investigations underway after woman shot in Summerhill

Ms Warrington said the new facility included modular furniture that could be moved and rearranged, making the space more versatile and accommodating a wider range of programs, as well as more outdoor space the previous centre lacked.

"Our clients can take advantage of all the outdoor space - they can use the croquet lawn, the former bowls club, as well walk around the beautiful Riverside Golf Club and access the local shops and the Riverside Aquatic Centre," she said.

READ MORE: Southern Cross Care workers underpaid $6 million

She said the new facility would make it possible for elderly and disabled clients to live the life that they choose, and engage with others in a supportive and caring environment.

"They can do whatever activities they want to do on a daily basis," she said.

"It's very special for them to be able to do that with their friends, and to have an ongoing social connection."

One of the clients who will be using the centre is Julie Anderson, who said the new facility was bigger and better than the old one.

READ MORE: Watch Tasmanians wake to glorious spring snow

Ms Anderson said she was excited to get out and use the facilities that surrounded the hub like the golf course and lawn bowls.

She said having a place where she could go and spend time with her friends and like-minded people brought her a sense of security and happiness.

"It just makes me happy to get out in the morning to get out and know that I can come somewhere and do something with my friends," she said.

Ms Warrington said the hub would optimise Community Based Support Tasmania's established network of social hubs including facilities in Bridport and Hobart.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Follow us on Google News: The Examiner