Construction to start on new toilet block at Geraldton Regional Art Gallery Park

Long-awaited work to create a community meeting place in Geraldton’s CBD is nearing completion, but it will still be another month before locals can enjoy the new space.

Construction started on the $1.2 million Geraldton Regional Art Gallery Park upgrade in January, with the project touted as a “bookend” to Rocks Laneway to allow people to move from GRAG through the CBD and on to the foreshore though a series of walkways.

The 50-year-old toilet block at the site has already been demolished and a covered walkway has been installed along the side of the art gallery.

The aged footpath pavers on the Durlacher Street and Chapman Road sides of the building have also been replaced.

City of Greater Geraldton chief executive Ross McKim said construction would now start on the new accessible toilet facility and park landscaping.

It was initially hoped the work would take about five months, but Mr McKim said the project was now expected to be finished by the end of July.

Local contractors Parscape will complete the landscaping works, which will include a garden showcasing some of the Mid West’s favourite wildflowers.

Dating back over 100 years, GRAG Park was the location of the council chambers from 1897 and GRAG was the Town Hall from 1907.

That changed in 1963 when the local government relocated to its current location at 63 Cathedral Avenue.