Education Minister Grace Grace and Mount Ommaney MP Jess Pugh have turned the first sod on a $7.7 million multi-storey learning centre at Mount Ommaney Special School.
Excited students today joined Ms Grace and Ms Pugh in marking the start of construction on the two-storey building, which is expected to be finished by March 2020.
"It's fantastic to this investment by the Palaszczuk Government which will not only support students but also the local economy, with 20 full-time jobs created through construction," Ms Grace said.
"Local south-east Queensland company Badge Constructions have been awarded the contract and will start work on site now.
"The two-storey centre will include four classrooms, an industrial kitchen and laundry, therapy space, multi-skills room, an outdoor learning area, staff planning area, kitchenette, store and amenities.
"There will also be an undercroft area on the ground level of the centre, providing space for four more classrooms when needed.
"I'm particularly happy to see an industrial kitchen included, which will really boost vocational subjects and support those students with a keen interest in the hospitality industry.
"We can't underestimate the importance of providing our students with quality classrooms and facilities to ensure they're given a world-class education."
Ms Pugh said the project means so much to the Mount Ommaney Special School community.
"This learning centre will be a game-changer for the school and I can't wait to see the smiles on the students' faces when it opens next year," Ms Pugh said.
"I was also glad to see Mount Ommaney Special School receive $100,000 in the State Budget for a new outdoor learning area.
"In fact, the Budget featured a total of $21.6 million for infrastructure projects at state schools across my electorate which is brilliant news.
"The Palaszczuk Government is investing a record $1.464 billion in Queensland state school infrastructure in 2019-20."
Mount Ommaney Special School Principal Wayne Wilkinson said the centre would significantly improve opportunities for the school's secondary students.
"Here at Mount Ommaney Special School we pride ourselves on giving every student the greatest opportunity to succeed," Mr Wilkinson said.
"This facility will add significant value to our school, assist with enrolment capacity and greatly assist our ever growing vocational education programs."
Mr Wilkinson said the school community was especially excited by the specialised industrial kitchen and laundry facilities as well as an internal lift and external ramp.
"We cannot wait to see what opportunities the new infrastructure will provide, not only for our staff and students but for the wider community," he said.
