Upgrades on the way for BSE College

BENDIGO South East College’s gymnasium is set to be upgraded after the school received State Government funding last week.

BSE College is getting just under $500,000 to upgrade the building’s toilets and changerooms.

The school is also in the early stages of replacing the gym’s flooring, with the money to be put to that project as well.

BSE College principal Glen Donald said the works were needed to bring the gym to modern standards.

“[The gym] is fully used at least five days a week, if not six or seven,” he said. “The bathrooms are 20 years old and just need an upgrade.

“[The works are] making sure that we’re moving with the times and making the bathrooms fit to be able to cater for all genders and sports.”

“We do host national championships here as well and we’re hosting the junior volleyball development program nationals here in September, so having a competition grade floor would be perfect for those types of things.”

State member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, said the gym was a popular facility among the wider community including a local netball association who also called for the upgrades.

“This is a terrific three court stadium that is used by the school during school time, but it’s also a really important part of our community sporting facilities across Bendigo and it’s heavily used outside of school times,” she said.

“Because it’s so heavily used, the flooring needs to be replaced. That was a project that was underway, and it was recognised that there was an opportunity to add to that project and upgrade the sporting facilities as well.

“Change facilities and toilet facilities, it’s really important that they’re easily accessible as well as the sporting infrastructure.”

Mr Donald said the total project was estimated to cost about $1.2 to $1.3 million and work would ideally start over the Christmas holiday period.