The sod has been turned, signalling the start of Stage 1 of the West End State School expansion project.
Education Minister Grace Grace and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad have also officially named Hutchinson Builders as the official contractor for the $25.7-million, during the sod-turning ceremony.
Expected to be completed in mid-2020 and cater to over 1,700 students, the expansion project will see West End State School “transformed into a larger campus that can cater for the growing number of enrolments,” Ms Trad said
“West End State School is a popular school in my electorate with 1,100 students currently enrolled at the school, only set to increase.
“We’ve listened to what parents and carers have said and incorporated their feedback into the project,” she said.
“All new classrooms will be connected by a green-space campus heart, giving students a dedicated space for outdoor learning and play.
“That was one of the most important issues that parents raised, and I’m pleased to see that we’re delivering on that.”
“I’m extremely excited to see our school campus transform and capture the essence of our education direction for the students at West End State School,” Principal Kim McNamara said.
“We’ve been on the journey since the concept design development, and across the board the collaboration has been remarkable, to ensure our students are equipped with modern and specialised facilities.
“Growth brings excitement, new people and new challenges, and with abundance of outdoor and flexible spaces planned, the students will be empowered to achieve their personal best.”
About West End State School expansion
The West End State School (WESS) expansion project is aimed at accommodating the enrolment growth at the school, which currently has more than 1,000 students. Designed by Cox Architecture, the project will deliver new teaching and learning spaces, along with outdoor play environments for the students.
Stage 1 will deliver a new three-storey learning centre on the corner of Horan and Ambleside streets which will include 16 learning spaces, outdoor landscaped areas, and a new pick/drop-off zone.
Stage 2 of the construction is expected to be completed in 2022 which is broken down into Stages 2a and 2b. Stage 2a will include the construction of a multi-level facility which will contain the administration, library, and 15 classrooms, to be located on Ambleside Street.
Stage 2b will include a creative learning centre with an undercover car park, to be located on the corner of Horan and Vulture streets.