First look: $4.9 million East Lismore Community Preschool redevelopment proposed
A Lismore preschool is set to come back bigger and better than ever after being devastated by the floods, with children designing their own $4.9m “sky cubby” learning space.
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East Lismore Community Preschool has unveiled plans for a new and improved childcare centre for 50 children after the early education centre was wiped out in the 2022 floods.
The existing structure has been demolished after sustaining major flood damage, and the preschool was taken in by Wyrallah Road Public School.
Staying in East Lismore for the long haul was non-negotiable for director Sonya McPherson, despite flood risks.
“We were never going to leave … you can’t serve the community from somewhere else,” she said.
The preschool looks set to bounce back with a new $4.9 million two-storey facility with “significantly improved flood immunity”.
Raised above the one in 100 year flood level, the new preschool would include two learning spaces, the Lilly Pilly Room and Wattle Room and a top floor play area overlooking Wade Park.
Mrs McPherson said the design was heavily influenced by the children, who drew pictures of what they wanted their new preschool to look like, which were displayed in their classroom.
“That’s why we have a slide going from the veranda to the outside play area,” Mrs McPherson said.
“We couldn’t have done it without them, otherwise it would have looked like a boring adult building.”
The building would be 3.3 metres off the ground – almost a metre above the height of the flood waters last year.
“For the kids it’s almost like a treehouse or sky cubby,” Mrs Mcpherson said.
The preschool is designed to “meld” into the surrounding houses and community.
About 900 square meters of the 2450 sqm site would be set aside for an outdoor play area.
The undercroft of the preschool would include 15 carparking spaces.
Mrs Mcpherson said a crucial part of the proposal was retaining trees on site and the entire design took into account sustainability.
An initial concept involved the new building being built around the old gumtree on the grounds, but the engineering would have been too costly Mrs McPherson said.
Town planner Karina Vikstrom states in planning documents children would be evacuated in case of a flood, but the preschool would be raised out of harm's way.
It is understood Lismore City Council staff has worked with the preschool to help get the project off the ground.
However, councillors or staff were unable to comment while the proposal is yet to be determined.
Visit the Lismore City Council website if you would like to have your say.
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