Construction Update

Next stage of construction to commence soon

It's been a few editions of il giornale since our last project update. Since that time, the college community has continued to settle into the new learning spaces provided by our Stage 2A  building completion, along with the recent opening of the sports oval and soccer pitch for student use.  Both areas are being well utilised and we continue to increase everyone's opportunities for learning and social development at St Anne's College. We hope to soon be able to announce the date for the official opening celebration of our Stage 2A building, which was partly funded by an Australian Federal Government grant.  We will let you know once all of the various dignitaries have confirmed their availability.

So, what else has been happening you might ask since we finished our two major capital projects of 2021? If you have been past the college over the past fortnight you may have noticed the commencement of groundworks to the eastern side of the college building.  This work is being undertaken by Preston Turf and Garden and includes the installation of inground sprinklers, drainage, topsoiling, levelling and seeding at a project cost of $30,000.  We identified that, based on the current master plan, this area will remain without further substantial development for a few years. So that it can be enjoyed by our students and wider community, along with it being part of the visual entry to the college, it made sense to improve this area now in a way that it can be used, and also so we have the ability to easily scale it back progressively as the building expands into the area.  We anticipate these works being completed by the end of the term.

Then there is Stage 2B construction - in October 2020 we were successful in obtaining a $5M Victoria State Government Capital Funding Grant to assist us in undertaking the construction of our next construction stage - Stage 2B.  This construction phase is an $8M project, which incorporates specialist Science, Art and general learning areas on the western side of the campus, along with an addition to the south-eastern corner, which is predominately supporting the expansion of our School of Wonder general learning area.  The addition to the west is a little bigger in size than our recently completed Stage 2A extension, and when incorporating the eastern extension, it will see the project's construction period increase to about a 16-month build. This must be completed, ready for our school year commencing January 2023.  

Tender documents have been submitted to our Catholic Capital Grants (our grant governing body) for review and approval.  We intend to release tender documents to approved construction companies that expressed interest to participate in the tender process, on or around June 22 this year, with tenders closing around July 21. The contract will be awarded as soon as possible thereafter, and onsite construction will commence promptly after that.

We have included here some 3D rendered concepts that our lead architect, Dr Ken Woodman of No. 42 Architects, has provided of what we believe the spaces and facade could look like once built. We are moving into another exciting period for the college as we continue to see the vision for St Anne's College coming closer to reality.

 - David Villani, Business Manager