St Joseph’s College Kildare Campus will have extra upgrades sooner than expected. Pictured are student Keira Mitchell, head of sport Justin Cantwell, academics director Carri Carter, business manager Cheryle Ryan, principal Anne Marie Cairns and student Achilles Murillo.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
The wish-list for St Joseph’s College Kildare Campus has been granted before Christmas with a bold suite of sporting and performing arts facilities incoming.
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From Wednesday, November 5, construction will begin on Stage 3 of the school’s master plan, including a standout multi-function centre as its centrepiece.
An indoor stadium with two full-size basketball and netball courts, retractable seating for 800 people, a 250-seat theatrette and a performance stage are among the centre’s highlights.
Additionally, the college has received approval to expand its Stage 3 plans to include extra facilities that were earmarked for later stages of development.
A site map of the Kildare Campus showing future developments in orange, along with extra sporting facilities on the western side.
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The boost will include a six-lane running and athletics track, two tennis courts, a modern audiovisual system, a sprung dance floor and upgraded theatre seating.
A car park upgrade, additional solar panels, Indigenous artwork, extensive landscaping and added furniture are included to boot.
The Stage 2 learning building will also receive an extension, providing more classroom space for students.
School principal Anne Marie Cairns said she was thrilled to see the major works becoming a reality on the young campus.
“Within three-and-a-half years, to have this level of infrastructure and this quality for contemporary education, is actually unbelievable,” she said.
“By the same token, it’s needed, too. We're growing, in terms of Echuca-Moama, so there's a need for quality facilities in schools.”
With many new schools and campuses often waiting upwards of a decade to receive new facilities, the added approvals and fast turnaround came as a welcome surprise.
The Victorian Government contributed $6 million to the school’s Stage 3 capital works as part of a larger package aimed at upgrading low-fee independent schools.
A rendered external view of the multi-purpose centre.
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Along with student benefits, Ms Cairns said the works would also provide a boon for community members, particularly those who are artistically minded.
“It's very exciting for St Joseph's, but it's really exciting for Echuca-Moama. We're committed to community and partnerships, so we want to work with people,” she said.
“To have community groups being able to access the facilities for rehearsals, for performances ― I think it’ll give us another level and be more accessible.”
Community and sporting events are also slated to be held at the tennis courts and athletics track, providing a wide array of health advantages.
Commercial Industrial Construction Group was awarded the Stage 3 tender and the works are scheduled for completion next year.
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