Karinya Reserve Community Hall now open!

A new shared use community facility is now open at Karinya Reserve, Eden Hills.

The Karinya Reserve Community Hall replaces a 60-year-old Scout hall and 30-year-old Rotary shed and includes a community hall, toilet facilities, a meeting room, kitchen and storage.

As well as providing a new home for the Eden Hills Scout Group and Rotary Club of Blackwood, the facility will be available for hire by the public for private events.

The Hall features the artwork of artist Adam Poole-Mottishaw whose design was inspired by the users of the facility and the surrounding reserve. Adam incorporated feedback on design from local youth, Eden Hills Scouts, Blackwood Rotary Club and Trees for Life volunteers.

Launched in December, the project was co-funded by $580,000 from the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, $956,000 from City of Mitcham and $100,000 from Eden Hills Scout Group.

City of Mitcham Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross paid tribute to architect Troy Owen, Partek Construction and the City of Mitcham team who delivered the project within six months, and to the Eden Hills Scout Group for their fundraising efforts.

“It is really terrific to see a community group putting so much effort in and it just shows how much it means to this community.”

Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost MP praised the new facility, highlighting its significant upgrades and improvements over the previous building. She emphasized how the modern structure addresses the challenges faced by its predecessor, providing a safer and more suitable environment for its users.

“It was a very tired building that was well past its use-by date,” she said. “Congratulations to the City of Mitcham; this is a great facility for your local community.”

Scouts SA District Commissioner Amy Battams thanked local families who had been travelling to Aberfoyle Park while they waited for a new Hall.

“The families and members of this Scout group worked very hard to raise $100,000 to contribute to the building,” she said. “It’s taken many years to get this project up and running and it’s all been worth it.”

Rotary Club of Blackwood President Martin Rowe said the project was a “big deal” for his group.

“The old shed was getting tired, a bit leaky and causing a few problems,” he said. “Our new shed is bigger, wider, higher and brighter. We’re very grateful.”

Photo: City of Mitcham Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, Kaurna Elder Aunty Rosalind Coleman, Rotary Club of Blackwood President Martin Rowe, Scouts SA District Commissioner Amy Battams and Member for Boothby Louise Miller-Frost cut the ribbon.