Townsville Bulletin

Upgrade on learning centre start

- CAITLAN CHARLES

MAJOR upgrades to the Townsville Community Learning Centre are underway with constructi­on starting on a new two-storey learning centre.

The project, which has been funded through the state government, will help the school accommodat­e its growing student base.

“Enrolments at Townsville Community Learning Centre have grown rapidly in recent years, from 138 students in 2015 to 204 students in 2021, which is why this work is so important,” Mundingbur­ra MP Les Walker said. “Making sure our students have the best facilities at their school is incredibly important.”

MAJOR upgrades at the Townsville Community Learning Centre are underway to make room for the school’s growing population.

The $14.7m works have started with constructi­on beginning on the $8.4m twostorey learning centre.

Plans for the upgrades went through Townsville City Council last year, with the developmen­t applicatio­n detailing the upgrades including 12 new learning areas, a new administra­tion block, a school hall and a formal car park.

The developmen­t is split into three stages, with the school’s capacity expected to increase to 308 students after the first two stages are complete.

Mundingbur­ra MP Les Walker said the new centre would have six general learning spaces, which were important for the school to meet the growing needs of students.

“Enrolments at Townsville Community Learning Centre have grown rapidly in recent years, from 138 students in 2015 to 204 students in 2021 which is why this work is so important,” Mr Walker said.

“Making sure our students have the best facilities at their school is incredibly important as the Palaszczuk government knows education is the best way for young people to be successful in life.

“That’s why we will continue to invest in our young Queensland­ers.”

Paynters is building the new two-storey learning centre at the school.

“Projects like this are not only incredibly important to support young people’s education but they also create more jobs in Townsville,” Mr Walker said.

A new $6.3m multipurpo­se hall, including a court area, stage, kiosk, kitchen, change rooms and amenities will also be built at the school.

Tenders closed last month, and work is expected to be complete next year.

Principal Tracy Cronin said the school community was excited about the new multipurpo­se hall.

“This welcome addition to our school will enable us to have whole-school assemblies and award presentati­ons for the first time,” she said.

“The new hall will provide an environmen­t that will enhance our ability to offer engaging curriculum opportunit­ies, in particular health and physical education and the arts. “In addition to this the future hall will provide us with significan­tly greater opportunit­ies for the intentiona­l collaborat­ion of our whole school staff and engagement with our local community groups and regional networks.”

The work comes after a $474,949 junior playground upgrade was completed by Blanco Building last year.

 ?? Picture: Supplied ?? A mock-up of the new building for the Townsville Community Learning Centre.
Picture: Supplied A mock-up of the new building for the Townsville Community Learning Centre.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia