Cooperation Providing a Win for New Temporary Community Space

500 bricks of hope installation

12 Aug 2012

A landlord, tenant and local community are pulling together to make something beautiful in an eastern suburb.

A grassy amphitheatre, a poetry installation and messages of hope on 500 bricks are all possibilities likely to happen on the former site of Anglican Living’s Churchill Hospital. The site used to be home to ninety residents but was damaged in the September 2010 quake and had to be closed after the February quake.

The site is now being leased to Worthington Construction. In return for a reasonable rent they offered to help clear half the property for use by the community until such time as decisions are made regarding its long term future. The project has snowballed with many community groups such as Delta Community Support Trust, Gap Filler, Student Volunteer Army, and Shirley Intermediate School supporting it.

Shauna Robins from Delta Community Support Trust says, “It is exciting to see so many different groups coming together with a common vision to support their local community. I can’t wait to see what will happen here in the days and months to follow.”

At the end of July the Student Volunteer Army pitched in to begin clearing the site of the remaining demolition material, building a picnic area and putting up an art installation. A Richmond Community Dream Day was also held. There was a free sausage sizzle while residents dreamt big about what they could do with the site. Some of the ideas include a community outdoor music concert to be held on the site and a playground. They are still looking for sponsorship for these projects and would love any donations of playground equipment.

"There is still a lot of work to be done and more community work days to be planned." Shauna says.