Premier Mark McGowan today turned the first sod at Darling Range Sports College, breaking ground on the secondary school's $10 million building upgrades.
A key McGowan Government election commitment, the construction contract for the upgrades has been awarded to local Western Australian business Crothers Construction, supporting local jobs.
Works include new buildings for material technology and food technology classes, as well as an adjacent industry standard restaurant/café for students to present their meals.
Further improvements will be carried out to redesign the existing science laboratories.
Students now have the opportunity to excel both on and off the field, with the school's academic excellence and vocational training programs benefitting from these upgraded facilities.
An acclaimed sporting college, the school has fostered young athletes who have represented WA with distinction at both State and national levels.
The upgrades are expected to be completed in January 2021.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"These new facilities will prepare students at Darling Range Sports College to pursue whatever career they choose, whether it be further studies at university or straight into the workforce.
"With a well-established and successful sports program already in place, students will benefit from the latest facilities to pursue their studies in science, technology and vocational courses.
"I'm pleased the construction contract has been awarded to a local WA company, supporting local jobs."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"I'm pleased we are delivering state-of-the-art facilities that will enhance the learning experience for more than 900 students at the Darling Range Sports College.
"The upgraded science laboratories will help provide students with the skills required for the 21st century workplace."
As stated by Forrestfield MLA Stephen Price:
"The existing design and technology facilities feature equipment from the 1970s. The upgrade of this area together with a new food technology building and other improvements will ensure the facilities meet the current demands to provide our community with high educational standards.
"I welcome the commencement of this $10 million project, one of my key election commitments."
