A newly refurbished commercial-grade kitchen is helping Horsham Table Tennis Association go from strength to strength at its new home in Harriet Street.
After years of searching for a permanent home and playing at Maydale Pavillion, the Horsham Table Tennis Association in 2018 purchased the former home of the Italian Social Club, originally the Horsham Butter Factory.
Spokesperson Jeff Pekin said his club’s members had spent many hours bringing the venue up to scratch as both the new home for table tennis and a space that the public could hire for private functions.
The building is now home to six tables and hosts table tennis throughout week. Keenagers (older adults) from the University of the Third Age program play three times a week and Horsham Table Tennis Association has junior and adult competitions and a program for players with a disability.
The Avenue Dance studio also hire the facility during the year.
Last year the association successfully applied for $3000 in funding through Horsham Rural City Council’s Community Grants program.
The money was put towards a vacuum cleaner, pie warmer, fryer, griller and steamer.
“Like every community group we have to have some money coming in to keep us going and having these brand new kitchen facilities will allow us to hire out the venue,” Mr Pekin said.
“The building has a commercial-grade kitchen and restrooms and our members have done a lot of renovation work, making the venue suitable for weddings, birthdays and other events that require catering for a crowd.
“The Table Tennis Association will also put the new kitchen facilities to good use.
“The Community Grant has allowed us to set up a strong future and we thank the Council.”
Mayor Mark Radford said grants of up to $10,000 were available for this year’s program, with applications open during February.
“The majority of successful applications range between $500 and $5,000 and are awarded to not-for-profit organisations that enhance the provision of activities, facilities or delivery of services to people in the Horsham municipality,” Cr Radford said.
“Applications are assessed against a range of criteria, including demonstrated need, level of community benefit and more.”
To be eligible for funding, projects must be undertaken between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021.
Information sessions will be held at the Civic Centre on Tuesday 12 February from 7pm until 7.30pm and Wednesday 13 February from 12noon to 12.30 and 1pm until 1.30pm.
