City of South Perth residents celebrated the opening of the Manning Community Centre on Saturday 11 February with an afternoon of free family activities and entertainment at the multi-million dollar facility.

At the open day, local community members had the opportunity to meet the community groups who are housed in this state-of-the-art centre and explore the facilities, services and artworks within the Centre.

The Centre was officially opened by Mayor Sue Doherty on 8 February and includes the new Manning Library, the Manning Community Hall, Manning Child Health Clinic, Moorditj Keila Aboriginal Group, a sporting clubroom to house the Manning Rippers Football Club and Perth Blitz Gridiron Club, an early years’ centre that is home of the Manning Toy Library and new community playgroups.

The Manning Community Centre is one part of the Manning Community Hub which comprises of two separate components which have strong interrelationships and synergies. The other part is the future expansion of commercial activities. The Manning Community Hub is bounded by Bradshaw Crescent, Conochie Crescent and Welwyn Avenue.

The Manning Community Hall has a capacity for up to 270 people and is now available for hire.

“At $17 million this is the largest project the City has invested in. It was completed on time, and on budget which is a credit to all involved,” Mayor Sue Doherty said.

“Both Lotterywest and the State Department of Sport and Recreation contributed funding to this venue and I thank everyone who has been involved in the journey of this truly wonderful project and fantastic community facility.”

“Strategically located close to the Manning Senior Citizen’s Centre, the Men’s Shed and Manning Primary School, the Centre is set to become a true ‘hub’ for the local community.”

“Visitors to the new library will see some exciting changes and find new spaces to read, study, research and relax.”

IMPRINT, a series of artworks by artists Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse (Milne and Stonehouse) are located in the outdoor public space and internal street in the heart of the new community centre.

A large kinetic sculpture, the principal component of IMPRINT, is constructed of polished stainless steel panels that reflect the surrounding light and sky, with woven stainless steel mesh components that move in the wind. On a nearby wall, sculptural light boxes serve as collection niches for the community to curate and display their precious objects. Finally, two glass canopies at the entrance to the Library and the internal corridor explore the tidal nature of the Canning River, the geology, history and atmospheric imprint of the nearby environs of South Perth

The Manning Community Centre project was initiated in 2006 by the City in response to studies undertaken demonstrating that the existing community facilities were ageing and reaching the end of their useful life. Construction commenced in June 2015 and the building was completed at the end of 2016.

In 2008, the City consulted with the local community to discuss what they wanted on the site. This consultation found there to be general community support and enthusiasm for an integrated neighbourhood community hub, inclusive of a relocated Manning Library.

Manning Community Centre
2 Conochie Cres, Manning (Undercroft parking off Bradshaw Cres)

Manning Library opening hours
Monday - 9.30am-5.30pm
Tuesday - 9.30am-5.30pm
Wednesday - 9.30am- 7pm
Thursday - 9.30am-5.30pm
Friday - 9.30am-5.30pm
Saturday - 10am- 4pm