Leading Sunshine Coast Independent School, St Andrew’s Anglican College, has released plans for the next stages of its impressive and ambitious masterplan.
Opening in 2003, the Peregian Springs college has undergone significant change in a small amount of time, most recently investing $25 million in a state-of-the-art Learning Hub (2016) and world class Aquatic Centre (2019).
With continued strong enrolments, the college will continue to invest significantly into the campus over the next five years, including the construction of a Performing Arts Centre, extra car parking, additional student amenities for the Aquatic Centre and larger flexible playing space with synthetic turf playing fields for primary students.
The largest and most anticipated works will be the construction of a multimillion-dollar Performing Arts Centre, aiming to be completed for the 2025 academic year.
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“This is a much-anticipated project as we know our current facilities are already too small for our growing music and performing arts programs,” St Andrew’s Principal Reverend Chris Ivey said.
“With an auditorium of around a 550-seat capacity, state of the art music, drama and dance facilities, drama studio and support rooms, it will be a unique building for our students and the community to enjoy.”
In preparation for the Performing Arts Centre, the college will need to remove the trees from the approved site which is located next to the Aquatic Centre.
“This site is already marked on our approved Master Plan, however, we recognise the impact this will have on the look and feel of our college when it happens.,” Mr Ivey said.
“We have prepared for this eventuality by planting over 100 new trees across the campus over the past five years.”
The college already has a protected nature habitat on the eastern boundary, which allows for the natural growth and generation of native species.
Appropriate flora and fauna studies will be undertaken prior to any work and the relocation of wildlife will be managed as needed.
As a number of changes have been made recently to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme which have included the site in the Community Facilities Zone, the college is currently considering the need to undertake a comprehensive review of the planning framework for the site and it is possible that an application to replace the current Master Plan may be lodged within the next year.
“The College Council, Building Committee and Executive team have spent about 12 months in the planning phase to ensure we can achieve our strategic outcomes,” Mr Ivey said.
