A WODONGA school ceremony on Friday celebrated not only a new building, but the success of a “once-only chance” to create a different vision.
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Wodonga West Children’s Centre officially opened at its Lawrence Street site, incorporating Wodonga West Primary School, a new kindergarten run by the school, supported playgroup and allied health services.
At least nine years in the planning, the project became possible through the combination of $3.8 million Victorian government funding and a children’s capital grant of $650,000.
School principal Jocelyn Owen said pooling these resources allowed the demolition of the 60 year-old former building and construction of the new areas.
“This was in fact the once-only chance for our school to be visionary in regards to ever acquiring an early learning centre on site and to make our site a community hub,” she said.
“What our students now have is an innovative, contemporary, flexible and attractive learning environment with beautiful outdoor spaces to also enjoy. Our school community finally feels valued and it shows.”
Melbourne firm Now Architecture designed the centre, which was built over 11 months by Wodonga’s Premier Building and Construction.
Mrs Owen thanked everyone involved in the build, especially site manager Ash Cooper.
“He managed to complete the project ahead of time in one of the wettest winters on record,” she said.
Other challenges included the constant mud and slush, having to relocate the arts program three times and limited playground spaces.
Education department North Eastern Victoria regional director Judy Rose said the community now had the facility it deserved, rather than an ageing building.
“I too remember walking down those corridors that tilted slightly,” she said.
“Opening a door that you then couldn’t shut properly again because it just didn’t all fit together.”
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley congratulated the school representatives who lobbied hard to gain funding.
“I know that the emotions, the drive that you had and the partnership you had with the department locally, with the families you have is just testament to ... the great school it is today,” he said.
Neville Cowland, of Now Architecture, said the design themes included learning pathways and nature.
“Colours coming from nature – earth, sky, night, day, light, dark, sunrise, the moon as a beacon on a dark night,” he said. “(Encouraging) passing students to think about themselves and about this place, their place, their place of work.”