Luxury Port Lincoln childcare plans lodged in major mansion makeover

The first-of-its-kind plans for a ritzy corner of Port Lincoln include a virtual reality room, cinema and sauna. See the designs.

A luxury Port Lincoln home could be converted into an early learning childcare facility, under proposed new plans lodged to Port Lincoln council. Picture: Mollard Property Group Pty Ltd

A bold plan to convert a tri-level Port Lincoln mansion into a six-star luxurious early learning centre with a virtual reality room, media/cinema space, kindy gym/yoga area, tennis court and an all-season indoor swimming pool has been submitted to the local council.

Mollard Property Group Pty Ltd has embarked on the first-of-its-kind project to redesign and renovate the Port Lincoln mansion.

The three-level property on Jordan Court would be converted into an exclusive 98-place facility for newborns to five-year-olds, that aims to redefine early childhood education in the country.

The 1445sq m property – boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic ocean views over Boston Bay – is located in Port Lincoln’s most prestigious neighbourhoods and near eight other schools.

The luxury Jordan Court mansion. Picture: Mollard Property Group Pty Ltd,

Proposed plans lodged to the Port Lincoln Council reveal the home’s ground floor would turn into four learning rooms, a cot room, a reception, amenities room and a dining/multipurpose room with a kitchen.

The top floor would feature two staffrooms, an office, meeting/parent room and a planning room.

It would also boast a music room, creative art areas, a virtual reality room, media/cinema room, a kindy gym/yoga room, a soft play gymnastics area, a tennis court and an all-season indoor swimming pool for a learning academy.

Kids would be treated to language and science lessons, cooking classes, and learn to ride on bike tracks.

Staff would have exclusive access to a massage room, relaxation room, and the existing sauna.

The centre will help address the town’s childcare shortage. Picture: Mollard Property Group Pty Ltd

Co-property owner and Mollard Property Group managing director Phil Mollard said it would be a great learning environment while addressing the town’s childcare shortage.

“We’ve actually built about 42 centres around the country and that was the furthest thing on my mind (at first),” he said.

“But as we went on, we had a really good look around the area and I saw that there was a gaping hole (...) it’s a childcare desert.

“We’re really thrilled to be doing it.”

Discussions are underway with potential childcare service providers with Mr Mollard keen to attract a “six-star operation” to match the facility.

“Parents need to know that they’ve got quality people looking after their children (and) that there’s genuine care and passion,” he said.

The proposed centre’s features include a tennis court. Picture: Mollard Property Group Pty Ltd

If approved, the centre would operate between 6.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

The Eyre Peninsula region is in need of 10 long daycare centres with 598 places to support more than 1000 children, a Community Early Learning Australia report revealed last year.

Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula commissioned the report which “crystallised that there is an unmet demand across the region”.

RDAEP chief executive Ryan Viney said the centre would be a “great outcome for the community”.

“A lack of childcare has been impacting on the ability of the community to attract and retain the workforce needed to support business growth,” Mr Viney said in June last year.

“RDAEP has been working with Councils to provide a co-ordinated approach to quantify the regions unmet demand for childcare to attract investment such as this development.”

Public consultation closes on July 1st.

Originally published as Luxury Port Lincoln childcare plans lodged in major mansion makeover