WITH construction of Bathurst High School’s new gymnasium complete, work has commenced on stage two of an $8.4 million upgrade to the school.
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As students were busy enjoying the gym facilities yesterday, work was beginning on a new performing arts centre.
Principal Geoff Hastings said he was absolutely thrilled when Hines Construction handed over the gymnasium two weeks ago.
“In terms of facilities, this is a quantum leap for us,” he said.
“I’m thrilled with the quality of the work, having the design turn into an actuality is great. The students have been really excited to get in and use the facility.”
The gym – which took less than a year to build and was funded by the state government – includes a fitness laboratory, two classrooms, two seminar rooms, change rooms, a first aid room, storage space and amenities.
Mr Hastings said the school was in the process of fitting out the new facility and said the fitness lab was expected to be filled with equipment by the start of next term.
He said the gym would be used for sporting activities and classes, along with assemblies, exams, school events and more.
Mr Hastings said he was now looking forward to seeing the existing school hall transformed into a performing arts centre.
Hines Construction site manager Simon McNamara said the performing arts centre – which will have a stage, performance floor, steel retractable seating, new lighting and a sound system – would be around 30 per cent bigger than the existing hall.
Mr McNamara said construction was moving ahead of schedule and was well and truly past the half way point.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, who enjoyed a tour of the gymnasium yesterday, said it was absolutely terrific.
“Geoff should be commended for the input he had to play in the design – as should staff and community – and Hines Constructions have done a fantastic job on this multi-million dollar facility,” Mr Toole said.
He noted the gymnasium, which was set up to cater for five sports, would be the envy of many schools across the state.
“To see the excitement of students wanting to utilise the gym is just fantastic,” he said. “Every dollar spent here has helped bring about improvements that are very overdue.”