Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall inspecting the construction of the new $121 million Armidale Secondary College yesterday.
Friday, 17 January 2020
WITH just over a year until students flow through the gates of the revolutionary Armidale Secondary College for the first time Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall yesterday called in to inspect progress on the $121 million project.
An excited Mr Marshall said construction of the new school buildings was largely complete with the focus now moving to the internal works.
“This time next year Armidale Secondary College will be an absolute hive of activity as teachers and support staff move in ahead of the arrival of the first cohort of students,” Mr Marshall said.
“The refurbishment of the almost century-old central heritage building, which will make up the centrepiece of the school, is nearly finished as workers charge ahead with the internal painting and joinery installation.
“Progress is also being made on the completion of the internal glazing, tiling works and external cladding to the main building.
“Next the focus will turn to external glazing and internal fit-out to the main building and the start of greater landscaping works which make up a key component of the project.
“I’m particularly excited to see what the landscapers will deliver with previous concept designs highlighting wide open, green spaces with plenty of grass and shade trees connecting the indoor and outdoor learning spaces.”
Mr Marshall said at the current point in construction the community could really see for themselves exactly what the layout of the school will look like.
“Every time I drive past Armidale Secondary College I get excited about what the future will hold for education of our next generation,” Mr Marshall said.
“This facility will have the capacity to cater for 1,500 students, with 79 permanent learning spaces which feature specialised spaces for science, industrial arts, hospitality and agricultural studies as well as improved performing arts and sports facilities.
“The project is ahead of schedule and it is expected we will see construction complete by the middle of this year.”
Mr Marshall said the new school represented the adding of another ribbon to the region’s bow, to attract and retain more families to our region and grow the local economy.
“Armidale Secondary College will usher in a new era for education in Armidale and country NSW.
“It will be a school like no other ever seen before in country NSW and will completely change the way people look and think about education delivery in secondary schools, regardless of sector.
“The facilities will be second-to-none anywhere in the State and the school will set a new benchmark for others to follow for how schools should be designed and operate.
“When finished, I think it will literally blow people’s minds – it will change the way they think about education and cement Armidale’s reputation as an education city.”
More than 60 per cent of the workforce, tradies and contractors being used on the construction are locals.