SA schools get $66m in new buildings and upgrades, including planetarium and performing arts centres
Ten schools will share in $66m of upgrades and new buildings – one will get SA’s second planetarium and three will get performing arts centres.
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Upgrades to schools — including a new planetarium — have been revealed in a $66 million investment by the State Government.
The planetarium, only the second in South Australia, will be installed at Hamilton Secondary College, the state’s leading space education school.
Hamilton Secondary College also will gain a 150-seat theatre, one of three performing arts centres in the capital works program along with John Pirie and Wirreanda secondary schools.
“We are pleased to be revealing these designs to families across SA, whom I am sure will closely monitor the progress of construction as these concepts come to life,” Education Minister John Gardner said.
“Construction on these sites will begin in the coming months, creating local jobs and contributing to the massive boost to our economy that our education capital works program will bring to the state, at a time when these jobs are so sorely needed.
“The concept plans released today reflect local priorities for each school and provide a glimpse of the modern, world-class facilities we are building as part of a generational upgrade of schools across the state.”
Mr Gardner said the $9 million investment in Hamilton would enhance its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics “further positioning Hamilton as a school of choice for students interested in pursuing a career in the space industry”.
Hamilton is home to the Mike Roach Space Education Centre which runs a simulated Mission to Mars among its activities.
UniSA runs the state’s only other planetarium, at its Mawson Lakes campus.
John Pirie Secondary School principal Roger Nottage said the $10 million for the Port Pirie school “will cap off the reinvigoration of the site and public education”.
It follows earlier investment of about the same amount in recent years.
The project includes two new buildings to house year 7 and 8s in a junior secondary wing and facilities to support personalised, alternative learning programs so students can gain skills in areas such as building construction.
Port Pirie’s original power supply building, which has most recently been used as a gym then dance studio will be refurbished as a 150-seat theatre.
“We’re going to call it the Powerhouse Performing Arts Centre,” Mr Nottage said.
“The landscaping will honour the heritage with some implements from the original — and there’s an industrial feel in the design of an extension of the music suite.”
See all the upgrades
Aldinga Beach B-7 School – $5 million
New permanent building; external decking; covered outdoor learning area; replace toilets.
Ardtornish Primary School – $5 million
New permanent building.
Christies Beach High School – $8 million
Redevelop three buildings; upgrade front of school; seismic upgrade to a building, including steel bracing; extra staff carparks and external lighting.
Elizabeth North Primary School – $5 million
Two new permanent modular buildings.
Greenwith Primary School – $5 million
New two-storey building.
Hamilton Secondary College – $9 million
Planetarium; performing arts building; refurbish two buildings; heating, insulation, airconditioning and acoustic upgrades; improve frontage facing Marion Rd.
John Pirie Secondary School – $10 million
Two new buildings for junior secondary and the Powerhouse Performing Arts Centre.
Kingston Community School – $4 million
Two new permanent modular buildings – one for general purposes, one for food technology.
Moonta Area School – $4 million
Two new permanent modular hubs — one for Year 12, one for services including canteen.
Wirreanda Secondary School – $11 million
Modular buildings to create 16 learning areas; refurbish technical studies, home economics and art and design classrooms; repurpose gym as performing arts centre; special class for Year 7s.
