Heart of the Bays is a not-for-profit community centre with charitable status, established in 1989 by a group of Browns Bay locals. The listing address is 2 Glen Road, and the centre describes itself as sitting on the village green in Browns Bay. It runs activities for all ages, including health, fitness, art, craft, languages, support groups and special interest groups. We hear the main community centre is closed for refurbishment, and the organisers will announce when the refreshed space reopens.
The centre's hire venue is St Anne's Hall, a historic, spacious hall at the St Anne's Community Hub on the corner of Beach Road and Glencoe Road in Browns Bay. It is available for regular or casual hire. Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm. People who have used the hall praised the hire process and the organisation of an expo and a disco. A volunteer board sets the direction and meets every four weeks. It suits clubs, families and groups in the Bays who want classes, support groups or a hall for an event.