St John Paul College close to unveiling its amazing new library

It wouldn’t look out of place in a bustling CBD, but where on the Coffs Coast will this stunning new building sit?

Concept drawings of St. John Paul College's new library. Picture: DRA Architects

It’s big, it’s modern, and it’s coming to a school near you.

In line to become one of Coffs Harbour’s most beautiful buildings when completed, St John Paul College’s dramatic new library and learning centre should be a sight to behold.

The new three-storey building, complete with a rooftop garden, is part of a major capital works program which principal Michael Carniato says will “future proof” the school for years to come.

Several new buildings, a refurbished staffroom, new hockey fields and improved drainage are all parts of the program but there is no doubt the library is the jewel in the crown.

Concept drawings of St. John Paul College's new library which will feature a rooftop garden. Picture: DRA Architects

The brief for Coffs Harbour’s DRA Architects was a “modern and contemporary working space” and Mr Carniato said it was the type of building students in regional areas deserved just as much as their metropolitan peers.

“I don’t want our families to be disadvantaged by being in a regional areas, they deserve the very best,” he said.

“It’s not a traditional library and that was very intentional. It is an amazing space.”

DRA Architects’ Lia McKenzie said it was a really exciting project to work on, with the school giving them “quite a bit of leeway” with the design.

Concept drawings of St. John Paul College's new library. Picture: DRA Architects

Ms McKenzie, fresh from a walk through the partially completed building she designed, said the rooftop garden would be a great extra learning space in what was to be “the centrepiece” of learning at the school.

“The school were keen for something very different,” Ms McKenzie said.

“With the 21st century learning that is going inside the school, we wanted to reflect that on the outside as well and its important to do something different to show it is a forward thinking school.

“It’s a really exciting project and I am looking forward to it being completed and being used by the kids.”

St. John Paul College, Coffs Harbour is part way through an ambitious capital works program which involves the construction of a modern library and learning centre. Photo: Tim Jarrett

The works have been ongoing for the last seven months and Mr Carniato expects the construction on the new library to be complete some time in August, with a view to opening later in the year.

With phase two of the works yet to begin, Mr Carniato was reluctant to put a price tag on the entire program but said a “ballpark” figure could be up around $13 million.

He also emphasised that while some government grants were contributing to the project, the vast majority of funding was coming from private sources and the Lismore Diocese.