Historic building reopens as hub for Denmark community

The doors of a 91-year-old Denmark building which has been vacant for the past six years were re-opened at the launch of a new community hub last week.

Shire of Denmark president Ross Thornton and Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman opened the Morgan Richards Community Centre on Friday after $1.3 million of restorations over the past nine months.

The former Denmark District Hospital site will house the Denmark Community Resource Centre, Denmark Arts and the Denmark Over 50s Association.

The buildings, which include the former Frail Aged Lodge, were obtained by the Shire in 2009 after the new hospital was built, with the Shire adopting an adaptive reuse study in 2011.

The centre was named after one of the town's first doctors, Dr Morgan Richards, who spearheaded the construction of the original hospital in 1924.

His great-great-niece and Albany woman Dianne Guest said it was a fitting tribute to a very active community member.

"It is absolutely marvellous," she said.

"He was passionate about individual health and community-minded people caring for one another and this centre will carry on his vision into the modern era."

She said Dr Richards' great-grandson Dr Michael Frantom, who lived in England, planned to visit the facility later this month.

Mr Redman spoke about his family ties to the building at the opening.

His father Don Redman was born at the Denmark District Hospital on December 5, 1940 and his grandmother Lorna Redman died there about 15 years ago.

Mr Thornton congratulated chief executive Dale Stewart for obtaining funding and deceased councillor and Over 50s Association member Phil Barnes, who spearheaded the project.