Above: A full-sized indoor basketball stadium is one of the upgrades at Cranbourne West Primary School.
By Bridget Brady
CRANBOURNE West Primary School’s $4.8 million make-over is almost complete.
Works began at the school early December last year and are due to be finished next month.
The state and federal government funded upgrades include a new gymnasium, seven permanent classrooms that all open up to large communal learning areas, the relocation of 30 portable classrooms and a 20,000 litre underground tank.
The administration area has been enlarged and remodelled and two new learning galleries and a large decked area have been constructed to connect some of the portable classrooms. Workers have also installed a new canteen and appliances.
Assistant Principal Chris Short said there were about 780 students at the school, which was originally designed to cater for 240 students.
“We were absolutely stretched for our facilities,” Mr Short said.
He said staff and students had been very flexible while the works had been completed.
“The school community has kept its eye on the prize and has been very supportive and they are looking forward to the tremendous facilities we will have for the start of 2009.”
Mr Short said the upgrades were much-needed because he expected the student numbers at the school to increase further.
“We are delighted that such a fantastic community resource has been built in Cranbourne, one of the fastest growing and dynamic areas of Australia.”
Mr Short said the staff at the school wanted to thank the people involved in each stage of the developments.
