Bike shed expansion kicks into high gear

TORQUAY Coast Primary School continues to grow at a rapid pace and funding from the Minor Capital Works Fund project will help deliver needed expansions.

Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman announced on September 30 that the Ascot Group Building Pty Ltd was appointed to deliver the school’s bike shed expansion project.

The announcement signifies the next step for Torquay Coast’s much-needed bike shed upgrade, as the one that currently occupies the eastern side of the oval is simply too small to meet the school’s needs.

Principal of Torquay Coast Primary Darren Roskosch said the school focuses very heavily on “active travel” and due to this has rapidly exceeded its existing structure.

Mr Roskosch and his team were successful in attaining $237,625 to expand the bike shed and construct concrete bike paths and line marking to support the bicycle education program, which will help students continue to be more active and continue their love of bike riding.

“What we promote and support here is diverse learning, where health and well-being is a big focus for us,” Mr Roskosch said.

“We want our students to be global citizens and have a global understanding of what makes a balanced individual and having an active lifestyle is also a key component of that.

“In terms of the bike program, we live on the Surf Coast where there is a lot of supportive infrastructure which enables children to be active in terms of their transport whether it be to ride, skate or scoot, therefore we feel we have a natural responsibility to encourage that at the school.”

The current bike shed is packed to the brim and overflowing on a normal school day with students from all year levels on site according to physical education teacher Modesty Kneebone.

“Normally there are just bikes everywhere around the current shed and sometimes there are three to four bikes in a single bay designed for no more than two bikes, we even had to put in place extra parking brackets thanks to Bike School Victoria,” Ms Kneebone said.

“For us just getting this new bike shed will really encourage more kids to ride.”

Mr Cheeseman said Torquay families are a step closer to getting the great local school facilities their kids need to thrive.
“We’re making sure that our schools have the best facilities, our classrooms have the best teachers and that every child is given every chance to succeed,” Mr Cheeseman said.

The school is in its fourth year and currently has 470 students enrolled. This number is expected to get as high as 750 in future years.