A sod-turning ceremony has kicked off the construction to expand Waterford West State School with school leaders, P&C President Kristy Waugh, Shannon Fentiman MP, and Principal McClean making the ceremonial first dig.
The ceremony marked the beginning of construction to expand the school to accommodate growth in the area and student enrolment. The new development is due to be completed in the second half of 2022.
Wiley will be designing and delivering the project, having been awarded the combined contract in late 2021. Design work began in October last year in collaboration with consultants, the Department of Education, and Waterford West State School.
The new state-of-the-art, two-story classroom facility, and playground are welcome additions to the school. This building will feature a top-level with six general learnings areas (GLAs), six staff rooms, covered outdoor learning areas with the ground floor undercroft to accommodate a further six general learning areas (GLAs) as a future infill when enrolment capacity increases. There will also be a new playground close to the building.
Wiley CEO Robert Barron, who was onsite for the sod turning, commented on the excitement of the community. “It was fantastic to be here and share this milestone as we begin the construction stage of the project. The new building will enable Waterford West State School to grow its enrolment, provide further quality education, and continue to give back to the community.
“This is the sixteenth education project that Wiley has been contracted to deliver in less than three years. Our experienced onsite team will be working with local subcontractors and suppliers to help us to deliver the building.
“As always, it is great to be collaborating with RPS Group and The Department of Education,” he added.
Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman MP said, “This will be fantastic for our young Waterford students. The new state-of-the-art building will include world-class learning spaces, outdoor areas, and a new playground. This investment in the school will support our growing community and create more local jobs.”
