Wellington Shire Council has unveiled initial design drawings for the new Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families, to be built at Gibsons Road in Sale. The significant milestone marks the project's completion of stage one, which includes both conceptual and schematic designs for the centre, set to open its doors to the community in 2026.
Located next to the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale, the undeveloped site is set to be the first of its kind in the Shire. Spanning 4200m2, the centre will boast a unique butterfly roof, which will provide both internal and external undercover spaces, alongside extensive outdoor areas. The design will incorporate a natural colour palette, taking inspiration from the ocean, bush, and forest to enhance the facade.
Central to the design is the focus on improved accessibility and bringing together a range of key services, including education, healthcare and support services for children and their families, all conveniently located under the one roof.
Once completed, the centre will offer a combined 122 places for long day care (0-3 years) and kindergarten (3-5 years). It will house four consulting suites for maternal and child health, family, and allied health services. Community spaces will include multipurpose rooms, a community lounge and kitchen, a welcome space, and meeting rooms.
Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye commended the proactive steps taken by Council in the development of the Greenfields project.
"We are thrilled to share the first concept designs of this very important project with our community. After the 2022 Sale Feasibility Study showed a growing need for more early years facilities in the Shire, we remain committed to addressing this need and the result of this centre couldn't have been better.
"The Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families will not only be a place of learning but also a community hub where families in Wellington can come together. It represents a significant step forward in early childhood education and also offers families the ability to create closer connections with maternal and child health services, childcare providers, and educators" Cr Bye said.
With the schematic designs now finalised, detailed designs will soon be completed to make the project ready for state government funding applications.
A tender for the construction of the centre is scheduled for September 2024, with the announcement of the successful tenderer expected in late 2024. The commencement of construction in 2025 relies on significant state government funding to move the project from design to construction.
Additionally, Council will engage in a transparent process to determine a suitable management model for the facility over the next few months.
The total project is expected to cost over $12 million, with funding contributed by Council and government grants.
To learn more about the project and find answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit Wellington Shire Council's website at www.wellington.vic.gov.au/development/major-projects-and-works.
