Corio’s $13.3m new kid centre
EXISTING facilities in Geelong’s north will remain open until a new $13.3 million children’s centre is completed.
A total of six venues will be shut to make way for the consolidated Corio Integrated Child and Family Centre.
Work has begun on the Purnell Rd site, adjacent to Northern Bay’s Wexford P-8 campus.
The centre, which will include daycare for 90 children and kindergarten for 66 kids, is scheduled to open in early 2020.
Amid some conjecture about the future of current venues, City of Greater Geelong’s community life acting director Fiona Reidy said there would be a smooth transition for parents.
“Two facilities have recently been closed and the remaining will be closed once the new facility has been completed,” she said.
The development has earmarked 28 trees for removal, with 11 trees on site to be retained.
Ms Reidy said more than 400 new trees would be planted as part of the development, including 100 in public open space.
Cassandra Sandy, whose son Ezekiel, 4, attends Corio Kindergarten, said there was some sadness about what was being lost.
“Most of the (Corio kindergarten parents) are really disappointed that it’s come to this,” she said.
“I have two younger kids and I was hoping they would both go there.
“It’s just a shame they are taking it down.”
The Corio Kindergarten of Management was largely opposed to the project, and raised a number of concerns at a hearing in May.
Wider feedback led the council to make some changes, including using the land that hosts Corio City Learning and Care for public open space. Access to the Northern Bay College school oval is being sought, while a marker will recognise the heritage of the Corio Kindergarten on the nearby development site.
Ms Sandy hoped all the ex- isting kinder teachers could retain their jobs, as they had built vital relationships with local families over a long period.
Ms Reidy confirmed the council was maintaining positions for all existing staff.
“Existing council staff will be offered employment at the new centre, or redeployed to other council-operated facilities,” she said.
There would be enough children’s places at the new centre to cater for all existing users, Ms Reidy said.