Whitsunday Anglican School applies to expand science classes with new building

The plans include demolishing the existing building to make way for the two-storey structure that includes specialist classes and a library revamp.

An elite Mackay school has applied to demolish its library building to make way for modernised and expanded science classrooms to cater for emerging technologies.

Whitsunday Anglican School has lodged plans for a new Resource, Science and Design Centre that includes a two-storey building on its Beaconsfield campus.

Plans include demolishing the existing building with a new two-storey structure in its place which would include science classrooms with specific set-ups for chemistry, physics and biology classes.

“The upper level will connect into the refurbished library by a raked seating area in a lecture theatre style arrangement,” plans lodged with Mackay Regional Council state.

“The lower level of the new building will contain a relocated IT department adjacent the arrangement.

“The remainder of the lower level will remain open and be used as under croft seating areas for students.

“Overall the total number of classrooms will increase by two, between the existing and proposed buildings.”

Demolition was proposed to be over stages with the school to retain two classrooms and a preparation room until the new building was completed.

That would ensure the continuation of specialist sciences classes during construction, plans state.

“The remaining classrooms will then be demolished, and site works completed,” plans state.

“The library building will be refurbished to provide a contemporary learning environment with new spaces for 3D printing and virtual reality activities.

Plans state the existing library building would be extended about 130sq m to “accommodate the various rooms and connection to the upper level”.

“Despite the increase in classrooms, the redevelopment and refurbishment work to create the Resource, Science and Design Centre does not result in any additional staff or students as the works simply revamp the existing buildings to provide contemporary learning areas,” plans state.