The Community Centre in Sutherland was constructed, mainly through funding sourced by the DST. The town has many social challenges and a high rate of unemployment, with school leavers having very little opportunity of finding employment. The purpose of the Centre was thus to train and equip people with the necessary skills to acquire jobs. The idea was not to merely establish a computer room, but that the Centre be a place for the community to gather and for learners to spend time doing extra school work after hours. Once completed, the Centre would have space for computer training, an after school learning area and a play area for young kids. The outside of the Centre would have a braai area which could be used for evening activities such as telescope viewing and outdoor projection for educational movies. The Centre would be managed by the Board, comprising representatives from SAAO, Karoo-Hoogland Municipality, the two schools in the area, Department of Social Development and the Sutherland Unemployment Forum.