Walcha Council has received a cash splash from the NSW Government after local Member Kevin Anderson announced $768,774 to replace the 100-year-old Walcha Preschool building and upgrade local sports ground facilities.
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Walcha Preschool will see a total of $660,000 while $108,774 will be allocated to the John Oxley and Walcha Ovals.
Mr Anderson said the projects were identified by Walcha Council as being important for the local community which is why he worked with the government to see them funded.
“Walcha Preschool plays a special role within the community and we want to ensure that when children are getting their start in life they can do so in fresh modern facilities,” Mr Anderson said.
“The community take great pride in the preschool which is why we want to recognise its importance and replace the building.
Walcha mayor Eric Noakes thanked Mr Anderson along with Walcha Council’s general manager Jack O’Hara and community services manager Karen Kermode for their efforts.
“The new preschool really has been Karen’s baby, and she has put a lot of hard work into it, as has Jack who was pushing for this before I came into office,” Mr Noakes said.
Mrs Kermode said she was delighted that the funding had been approved but also daunted by the task ahead.
“Now it is a reality, and we have to get it done,” she said.
The new building will take seven months to complete with an estimated budget of just over $1million dollars – including building, plumbing and electrical costs. The early intervention classroom, which was opened in 2005, will remain and the new preschool facility will cover an area within the current building’s footprint. Demolition of the existing building will take place during the July school holidays in 2018 and students will be accommodated in demountable buildings while construction is underway.
“Along with the grant Council had previously received a substantial donation with the stipulation that it was to be used to benefit the children of Walcha,” said Mrs Kermode.
“This money has been in a term deposit and growing steadily for a number of years. The preschool has been running a surplus budget and slowly putting money aside for repairs and maintenance. This money will be used for any shortfall, and the replacement of key equipment in the preschool and repair of any playground equipment that is damaged during the building process.”
Mr Anderson said the local sports grounds are also at the centre of Walcha’s pride.
“By improving our local facilities we’re not only helping the local community, but we are also continuing to build Walcha’s appeal to the wider region.
“Part of my job as the local Member is to strengthen Walcha for the future and that’s exactly what we are doing here today.
“By funding these important projects we sending a message to the Walcha community that they are valued and important to the NSW Government,” Mr Anderson concluded.