Wingham Memorial Services Club has been granted $546,457 for upgrades so the club can be used as a designated evacuation centre in times of disasters.
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The money will be used to upgrade the toilets, build shower facilities in the auditorium, increase the size of the kitchen, and install an emergency generator.
The club was made a designated evacuation centre in the November 2019 bushfires.
"What we had on site was probably 20 portaloos, 10 showers were set up, we had St Vincent's come through and look at our kitchen facilities, they were about to come in. And a generator was brought in," Wingham Memorial Services Club secretary manager, Dean McCarthy said.
While the club was ready to accept evacuees, the fires unfortunately turned around and headed back towards Wingham, meaning the club was deemed unsafe and people had to evacuate to Taree instead.
This funding means the Services Club will be already fully prepared in case it is needed again in future as a designated evacuation centre.
Mr McCarthy said it was very comprehensive process to apply for the funding, so they are happy they were awarded it.
"It's fantastic. We were really pleased that all our efforts had paid off. It's good that we were successful," he said.
The next step is to sign the funding agreement, with works having to start within six months of the signing.
"As soon as we have the money in the bank we can start works."
However, once again, COVID has meant the ability to start work might be hampered.
"The timing couldn't be worse! We've been through it once, so we'll see how we go. We're in a pretty good position to weather the storm if it comes to the worst case scenario," Mr McCarthy said.
The funding was given through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, cofunded by the Australian and NSW governments.
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