Work on Drysdale’s new $13.3 million centre to start

CONSTRUCTION of a new children’s centre in Drysdale will get under way this month.

The work will start after the City of Greater Geelong last week gave approval to award a contract for the project.

The $13.3 million Drysdale Child and Family Centre is being built in areas with high numbers of young families, to meet the needs of the local community.

Work on the Drysdale facility at 17-21 Palmerston Street will begin in August and finish in time for the beginning of term one in 2020.

The council has given approval to award the tender to Geelong-based company EJ Lyons and Sons Pty Ltd.

The centre will feature day care for 90 children, kindergarten for 66 children, maternal child health consulting rooms, family support services, multi-purpose room for group-based programs, community rooms, toy library, outdoor play areas and a car park.

The project has received $1.6 million in state government funding, with the remainder to be funded by the city, and will be built to a Five Star Green Star rating, in line with the city’s commitment to sustainability through the One Planet Living principles.

Social and infrastructure planning portfolio co-chair Cr Peter Murrihy said the Drysdale centre would cater to the needs of the growing community in that area, offering essential services for children and families.

The city will also build a new $13.3 million children’s centre in Corio – the Purnell Road Child and Family Centre.

Construction will begin during August, and subject to finalisation and execution of the contract, will be carried out by A W Nicholson Pty Ltd.

Stage one will complete the construction of the centre by December 2019, and stage two will deliver the car park early in 2020.