CROWD FUNDING is under way in a bid to complete Warren's Windows on the Wetlands (WOW) Centre, expected to attract thousands of visitors to the small town.
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Stage one and two of the RiverSmart project has involved the moving of a church hall and refurbishing it at a total cost of about $110,000.
Fundraising, donations and a state government grant of $50,000 have set the project up for its final and third stage of development.
RiverSmart chief executive officer Dr Bill Phillips hopes the crowdfunding will raise about $50,000 to launch stage three construction.
"Stage three of the WOW Centre will involve the addition of covered verandas on either side of the former St Mary's Church hall to provide disabled access, more exhibition space plus an area for visitors and locals to relax and enjoy the peaceful surrounds," he said.
"Plus, in the space in front of the building, several covered information shelters are to be constructed with education and interpretive information about the river, Tiger Bay Wetlands and the Macquarie Marshes plus early European history, Indigenous heritage and the farming enterprises the region is famous for."
Positioned beside Warren's Tiger Bay Wetlands and about 100 kilometres from the Macquarie Marshes, the "education, recreation and cultural" facility will double as the headquarters of RiverSmart and its ever-expanding Macquarie Valley Trails program. Parliamentary secretary for Western NSW Sarah Mitchell opened stage two development in June where fundraising for stage three was kicked off with a $1500 donation from the Warren Rotary Club and the $3000 proceeds from a raffle and commissions on art sales.
The crowdfunding initiative can be accessed by visiting www.riversmart.org.au.
Dr Phillips has spelt out the economic advantage of the WOW centre to the Warren community.