Building our Performing Arts Centre
The Performing Arts Centre was conceived
during a P&C Executive meeting in February 2000. The project to air
condition the school had recently been completed and another long term plan
was evolving. The school's commitment to the Performing Arts
(especially the School Bands and music program) required an improved
performance area which could also be utilized for other activities.
Thus, the initial name was the "Multi Purpose Building Project". During 2000 the project continued to evolved and a group of parents and staff visited four schools that had enclosed their Assembly Areas and added stages. After deciding to progress the idea the school received Tax Deductibility status for donations to the project. There was much fundraising and in 2002 the roller doors and emergency exits that enclose the Assembly Area were fitted at a cost of $14 000. Fundraising continued and the building plans were drawn up. The quotation process in September 2003 resulted in the cheapest tender of $170 000. There was a building boom in Western Australia and the cost far exceeded the money raised by the P&C. Following more fundraising and a decision to split the project into two distinct stages (due to the cost) the project was advanced to another tender. The total cost was now $291 000 - with the $135 000 already raised able to progress it to lockup stage. Thus, the initial construction phase began in August 2005. Around this time the Commonwealth Government announced the "Investing in Our Schools" program where schools could receive up to $150 000 for special projects. This application was successful and gave us the finances to take the Performing Arts Centre to completion.
The Official Opening took place
on Saturday 4 November 2006. Guests included Dr Dennis Jensen MP and
Mr Tony McRae MLA. The Gala Opening was a formal event and was
attended by a large number of past and present parents and staff who were
involved in the project since its inception.
A less formal Family Fun Day was held on 19
November 2006 to showcase the Performing Arts Centre to the whole community.
This included a sausage sizzle, face painting, chocolate wheel, rides and the Talent Quest
(where anyone could come and be one of the first to perform on the stage of
our new Performing Arts Centre). We are very grateful to everyone who has helped in any way to bring the project to fruition. Many people have donated their time, effort, expertise and money to see the project progress. We thank each and every one of you as the Performing Arts Centre is a great addition to Banksia Park Primary School.
These pictures show the building's progress
to completion: |
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