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.

 

Work on the Performing Arts Centre finally begins in 2005 with (left to right)
     Tony McRae  (MLA),
    Pat Pinkus      (Principal),
    Tony Russell   (Chairperson - Performing Arts Centre Project), and
    John Ipsen       (President - Parents and Citizens Association)

 

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.

              .................. See Pictures and Speeches from the Gala Opening Spectacular ........................
 

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:
 


The preparatory groundwork begins.

 

  


The framework starts to take shape.

 


The future stage area.

 

  


The roof  shape becomes obvious.

 


The pad is about to be poured.

 

  


The stage area is now apparent.

 


The entry to the Performing Arts Centre is developing.

 

  


The foyer area takes shape.

 


Another view of the stage area.

 

  


The backstage area.

 


The roofing begins.

 

  


The roof is finally complete.

 


The area is transformed for the P&C Quiz Night.....

 

  


.....and returned to a construction site.

 


The plastering begins.

 

  


The ceiling is installed.

 


The plastering and ceilings are now complete.

 

  


Another view of the foyer area.

 


The entry doors are installed.

.

  


The windows are completed.

 


Lockup is achieved with the installation of more doors.

 

  


The steps in the foyer are completed.

 


The painters continue their work.

 

  


The electricians complete their part of the job.

 


The toilets are under way.

 

  


Another view of the toilets.

 


 The wooden stage floor is installed.

 

  


 The fence is removed and landscaping Busy Bee begins.

 


 Tiling begins in the toilets.

 

  


 The Uniform Shop / Storeroom is now secure.

 


The brick paved entrance is nearly complete.

 

  


The landscaping is undertaken.

 


The toilets are completed.

 

  


The carpet is laid.

 


The artworks are hung.

 

 

  


AND the building is finally finished.

 

 

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In 2007 it was suggested that a mosaic be incorporated into the path to the entry doors of our Performing Arts Centre
so Mrs Diane Boon set about creating this masterpiece with the assistance of many parents and students.

As well as the musical instruments and symbols, the 'child' symbol depicts the four school faction colours and represents
the children at our school.  This design was adapted from many drawings submitted by students as part of a school wide design competition.  Special thanks to the dedication of our parent body who worked each Tuesday for almost 10 weeks
to cut and glue tiles and complete the grouting.  Thanks also to the students who assisted and also participated in the mammoth task of polishing the tiles after the grouting.  Just like the building itself this mosaic could not have been done without the whole community's support, time and enthusiasm.

 

Later in 2007 our Year 7 students, under the direction of our Art Specialist Mrs Fiona Jackson-Betham,  painted the front
of the stage with the school motto "Friendship and Knowledge".