BATHURST’S Building Education Revolution has taken full flight with new multimillion dollar projects beginning at sites all over town.
Schools right across Bathurst have quickly embraced the federal government’s stimulus program to upgrade old amenities and introduce new facilities.
Multipurpose halls, trade training centres and much needed refurbishment have been popular construction choices according to principals in Bathurst.
St Stanislaus’ College headmaster John Edwards said it was
currently an exciting time at his school with the federal government’s financial investment allowing them to build a $1.6 million trade training centre and spend $350,000 to refurbish the kitchen and create individual rooms for Year 11 students.
“In my time as a teacher I have never experienced a period of so much government investment in schools,” he said. “This investment signals a quantum leap forward in the educational trade vocation we can provide.
“Also being able to refurbish the kitchen facility is a massive investment.”Mr Edwards said construction on the new centre had begun and would be finished at the start of 2011.
“In my time as a teacher, which is more than 30 years, never have I seen the Government put stimulus investment into schools which is something I see as a worthwhile long-term investment,” he said.
“This trade centre will be there for at least 25 years minimum, helping to train students to fill the community’s needs.
“It is just a wonderful step forward.”
Holy Family Primary School principal Kevin Arrow was equally delighted that a new multipurpose hall with gymnasium and stage area was the way to being ready for the new school year.
“Building is under way for out multipurpose hall which will have two classrooms, toilets and a kitchen.
“The footings have been poured but the wet weather has held us up. It shouldn’t take long to see the building take shape,” he said.
These two facilities have been funded under the Building and Education Revolution program, which is the single largest element of the Australian Government’s $42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, with around 24000 projects being delivered in every community across Australia.
The $16.2 billion program aimed to modernise schools through the delivery of necessary infrastructure also supports local jobs and stimulates investment.
While some projects have been found to be vastly over budget and not up to individual school needs, Holy Family Primary School principal Kevin Arrow said that had not been an issue for their new multipurpose hall.
“The Catholic Education Office has done a great job self managing the process which has allowed us to have a lot of input into the design and I believe we are receiving excellent value for money,” he said.
“It has been great being able use a local builder who intern has used local building supplies to develop this building for our growing school.”
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