College’s grand vision for campus begins with $15m Learning Centre

A well-known Brisbane school has started construction on the first stage of a major redevelopment of its campus in Brisbane’s inner east.

Villanova College students Tane Leach and Luke Skelton join Deputy Principal Steve Bremner at the site of the new Learning Centre. Picture: Richard Walker/AAP

CONSTRUCTION is well underway on stage one of a major redevelopment of the Villanova College campus at Coorparoo.

Stage one will deliver the $15 million three level Learning Centre off Main Ave.

The official breaking of ground ceremony was held on July 26 with construction partners, college staff, board members and students.

Acting Villanova College Principal Steven Bremner and Buildcorp Managing Director Tony Sukkar turned the sod on the new building.

The Learning Centre will become home to the Junior School (Years 5 and 6) with Year 12 students occupying the top floor when it opens in early 2020.

Work progresses on the Learning Centre. Picture: Richard Walker/AAP

The bold masterplan vision for the campus will create clear vistas showcasing the hilltop heritage Langlands House and chapel building from Main Ave and Fifth Ave.

The next stage of the masterplan is to renovate the current Junior School classrooms in to flexible learning centres for the Middle School.

The Villanova College masterplan looking from Fifth Ave.

The Stage one Learning Centre building contains 19 flexible classroom spaces, a lecture theatre, offices, undercover play spaces, bathrooms, open learning areas and direct access to playing fields.

Joining proceedings on Friday were Year 5 student Tane Leach and Year 11 student Luke Skelton, who will be among the first students to use the new centre, in addition to new Year 5 students joining the College next year.

Mr Bremner said flexibility in design was key.

“The centre was designed to create dynamic and flexible learning spaces that encourages teachers to challenge our students in their learning,” he said.

An artist’s impression of stage 1 of redevelopment at Villanova College, the Learning Centre.

An artist’s impression of the Learning Centre from the Veritas building.

“We’re confident that the facility will allow us to provide current and future generations of students with learning environments specifically for the changing nature of careers in the 21st century.

“Through flexible learning spaces, the new facility will promote the development of a range of ‘soft’ skills that we know are essential in the future: skills like collaboration, team work, self-direction and problem-solving.”