Photos: Luxury $19m St Patrick’s College arts centre revealed
The impressive new arts building at St Patrick’s College overlooking The Strand has officially opened. SEE OUR GALLERY OF PHOTOS>>>
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THE impressive new arts building at St Patrick’s College overlooking The Strand has officially opened.
The $19 million East Precinct juxtaposes the old convent next to it but boasts a contemporary performing arts studio, library, dance studio and music recording studios.
Principal Amber Hauff said the new statement building also included an 800 seat auditorium.
“We have actually had an incredible transformation over the last six years and we actually will welcome 600 students to our campus next, which means we needed more room,” she said.
“Back in July, actually we were able to start using the facility, and it was just excitement and joy. They (the students) felt very felt like they had finally had this beautiful sophisticated place for them to learn and perform and grow and flourish.”
The East Precinct centres around the college’s arts faculty but also contains a hospitality kitchen to provide students with industry-standard facilities.
Ms Hauff said the focus on the arts was based on research which showed it mattered in developing confidence and resilience in young women.
Year 11 student Chloe Dickinson regularly uses the new building, as she takes two music classes and is also in the guitar ensemble.
“(The old building) was a very small space. And my guitar ensemble used to practice in the drama theatre and that was also very small, but with the new building the guitar ensemble has grown heaps. And been able to learn more, as a group play better,” she said.
The outside of the college pays homage to its origins with a metal “lace” veil embossed with the shamrock, Mercy rose and Mercy cross.
“This pays homage to the Irish Sisters of Mercy who established the college in 1878,” Ms Hauff said.
She said it was exciting to officially open the new building after it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The East Precinct was partly funded by the Federal Government, receiving $3.9 million from the Capital Grants Program.
“This is an amazing building which would be the envy of any school, anywhere in the country – and it’s right here in Townsville,” Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said.
Originally published as Photos: Luxury $19m St Patrick’s College arts centre revealed
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