A new multipurpose community facility for the town of Dampier will soon start taking shape with construction of the $18 million Dampier Community Hub set to commence in February.

Pindan Contracting will carry out the works which will include a new early learning centre, public library, coffee hut and multipurpose rooms as well as a refurbished community hall, landscaped entrance and parking area.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the new facility would significantly bolster public offering for the town.

“We’ve spent a long time talking about and planning for a new community facility in Dampier so it’s fantastic that soon we’ll see all that hard work come to fruition as construction on the Dampier Community Hub starts taking shape,” Cr Long said.

Kellie Parker Managing Director Pilbara Assets and Development said that Rio Tinto is proud to support the construction of this long awaited community facility.

“The Dampier Hub will not just improve amenity, but significantly increase the services available to the local community, enabling the City of Karratha to respond to changing community needs well into the future.”

Construction of the Hub is set to kick off next month and it is anticipated the refurbished community hall will be ready for use by the middle of this year while the remainder of the new facility will be available for community use by early 2016.

The Dampier Library and a number of community groups running services from the existing hall will be temporarily relocated to alternative sites around town while construction takes place.

Mayor Peter Long said the City was working with Rio Tinto to ensure community groups were appropriately relocated.

“We’ve been working with Rio Tinto and the community groups who operate out of the hall to find alternative sites for them to run their programs from while construction of the new Hub takes place.”

“To minimise disruption and ensure the groups are back up and running from their preferred location we have structured the construction schedule so that the refurbished community hall will be delivered first.”

It is anticipated the Dampier Public Library will close for two weeks in February while it is relocated and properly set up at its new temporary location at the old Police Station at 3 Neilson Place.

The Dampier Community Hub is funded by Rio Tinto, the State Government and the City of Karratha with further funding being sought from Lotterywest.