The relocation is expected to take place by early April. The toy library will maintain the same opening hours — one hour a day for two days a week.

The service is moving because Corangamite Shire Council decided at its February meeting to lease the library’s present premises in the Mechanics Institute in Manifold Street to the South West Institute of TAFE.

TAFE intends to use the toy library’s current playhouse room and another room for its Pathfinders program, which is being relocated from Glenormiston College.

The Pathfinders program seeks to re-engage young people aged 15-19 years in education through a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning program that focuses on personal development and work-related skills.

Cr Ruth Gstrein said South West TAFE’s approach to lease the two rooms was an opportunity for the council to receive a commercial rent from the premises.

She could understand the toy library’s concern about moving from the site it had occupied for 25 years but was pleased it was to be relocated to the old stadium.

Cr Wayne Oakes said the relocation would allow the toy library to continue and also provide another educational opportunity for local youth through TAFE.

The council’s property officer Jane Hinds told the meeting the council had advertised its intention to lease out the two rooms and had received no objections. TAFE has been granted a three-year lease with the option of a further three years.