Centre progress

Ground will soon be broken on the long awaited Jerilderie Early Learning Centre project, with a contractor now in place.

The $1,360,000 project will be delivered by Trustee for The Adaptive Trust, trading as Dezign, which is based in Lawson, in the NSW Blue Mountains.

Murrumbidgee Council considered another five tender applications after they closed on March 26, from companies in Lavington, Mulwala, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Deniliquin.

The new facility will accommodate both a preschool program and long day care service, and will be built on the corner of Kennedy and Mahonga Sts in Jerilderie.

Jerilderie Preschool Kindergarten director Rebekah Salter says having a contractor in place is an exciting step for the project.

‘‘We are at the very exciting stage of the development,’’ she said.

‘‘I was pregnant when when we applied for our first grant, and my ‘little baby’ is now four.

‘‘It has taken us a really long time to get to this point, and the centre probably won’t open until part way through next year.

‘‘The kids that are in our preschool now will be able to play in the new centre, and I hope my little bloke does too.

‘‘It’s really good to see that we had so much interest in the tender stage.

‘‘We’re really looking forward to getting a shovel in the ground.’’

Complementing the new facility will be the construction of a new playground, onsite staff parking and new footpath access.

Grant funding of $1.2 million has already been secured for the project, which Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae said everyone is ‘‘thrilled’’ about.

‘‘It is a much needed and much anticipated service for our community, which will cater for up to 48 places. It will be a huge investment in our community,’’ Cr McRae said.

‘‘The committee has worked diligently to ensure that this will happen, and need to be congratulated. It has been a really serious effort, and has taken a lot of time and advocacy so they are to be commended on their passion and drive.’’

Ms Salter said with construction to begin soon, work will continue on finalising programs and plans for the operation of the ELC.

‘‘We’re still working behind the scenes,’’ she said.

‘‘We have a sub-committee that meets quite often with our early childhood consultant.

‘‘We will continue to work on operations, programs and staffing.’’