Gunnedah Salvation Army is finally seeing some progress on their new building in Tempest Street.
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Formerly Centrelink, the building was purchased about 12 months ago but the organisation had to wait six to seven months for a construction certificate before work could begin.
Work began last Monday and on Thursday Captain Richard Day said he was “ecstatic” that the project had begun to progress.
“Walking in there today and seeing it all, I was like ‘Wow, this is happening’,” he said.
“I’m very excited. I guess I’m the lucky one because I’ve been down in there seeing what’s been done.
“I think it’s having a place to call our own.”
The purchase of the building was made possible through a legacy left by an private donor about 15-20 years ago.
The Salvos building on Barber Street will be sold with a small percentage of the sale figure to go towards the new building.
“We wouldn’t have a new building without the legacy,” Captain Day said.
The building will be multifunctional with space for an office, Sunday School classes, youth group, church services, ladies group, craft groups, Doorways, basic living program, and community services.
Captain Gaye Day said the congregation had “outgrown” its building in Barber Street and had been meeting in the Carinya Christian School Hall for about three years.
The new “modern and up to date” building would be a more versatile space and allow the Salvos to be “relevant to our community”, according to Captain Day.
“I think it’s more the uniting of all our services. It will be a hub, really,” she said.
“We hope it will be a place like Hope House where people can drop in and have a coffee and have a chat.
“This will give us an opportunity to fill the gaps in the community.”
Captain Richard Day said the location of the new building was more central to the community and would be a “focal point”.
The Days have hopes that the work will be completed by September.