Albany's replacement primary school will be finished: Minister

8/03/01
Education Minister Alan Carpenter said today that he hoped the replacement Albany Primary School would be ready for first term next year.
Mr Carpenter said the new school would cost $6 million, which included $1 million in road works around the site.
When completed, it would have 14 classrooms for primary grades, three early childhood class areas, two education support units to cater for children with disabilities, an art/craft room and a music room. Other facilities would include an administration block and covered assembly area with a canteen and sports store.
Mr Carpenter said the school would be built on the old Albany High School Oval, but that the contractor, who had been carrying out earthworks for the new high school oval, had gone into liquidation as a result of other work he had undertaken.
"It had been felt that the company would be able to work through its difficulty," the Minister said.
"However, it became clear that would not be possible once the project had been extended and the contract had to be terminated.
"A new contractor has been appointed to finish the earthworks and tenders for the construction phase of the school opened last Saturday. After a three-week tender process, I anticipate that a builder will be on site by early May."
Mr Carpenter said he was disappointed that construction of the school had been delayed.
"I can understand how the community must feel about the school not being ready for Term Four this year," he said.
"The Government is doing all it can to make sure that students will have their new school in time for first term next year.
"It will be best to wait for a term break before moving into the new school, to minimise disruption to the teaching program.
"We will monitor the new builder's schedule to make sure that construction will be finished in time for children to occupy the school for the new school year."
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