Fabrication is nearly complete on a new hub that will provide a three-room kindergarten for 99 children at a time in Armstrong Creek, along with community spaces and allied health suites.
The new Bloinks Community Hub (interim name) is an innovative, modular design and is nearing completion at Modularity's Moolap factory before assembly takes place on-site, along with landscaping and carpark works.
The design consists of several modules which are constructed individually, and assembled and connected to utilities onsite, before outdoor areas and other works are completed. Assembly at the Warralily Boulevard site is anticipated to commence this month.
A Victorian Government grant to the City of Greater Geelong to deliver the hub, and its innovative template design and prefabrication method, allow for it to open from next year, ahead of the originally planned opening in 2029.
The project is majority-funded by the grant from the Victorian Government, sharing in $283 million provided in the 2019–20 State Budget for Three-Year-Old Kindergarten capital works. Funding was allocated in Batch 4 of the 2024 Building Blocks Grants Capacity Building stream. The Victorian Schools Building Authority is managing the construction, while the City of Greater Geelong is contributing $3.5 million.
The new kinder will offer up to 178 kindergarten places, with the City of Greater Geelong funding an additional community room and amenities.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
Victoria's population is growing and we're making sure our early learning infrastructure grows with it – giving children the best start in life and supporting families with more kinder places close to home
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
It's wonderful to see the Bloinks Community Hub and kindergarten taking shape – and even better that it's arriving three years earlier than planned.This is a real win for the Armstrong Creek community, and I can't wait to see the centre open its doors in January to welcome local families.
This project shows what can be achieved when the Victorian Government and local councils work together.
It will deliver a modern kindergarten and community hub for Armstrong Creek, while also supporting local jobs and businesses every step of the way.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
This is yet another example of a great collaboration between Council and the Victorian Government," Mayor Kontelj said.This project will support the recent and forecast growth in Armstrong Creek, by providing education for some of our youngest residents while offering other facilities all in one place, such as the multipurpose community space and allied health suites.
Modularity General Manager James Heffernan
We produce in more than 450 modules per year and deliver across the state to various schools, kindergartens and social housing and commercial clients," Mr Hefferman."Modularity employs over 100 full-time employees from the local community. We are a proud employer of Geelong people and provide opportunities for apprenticeships, traineeships and trades across a wide range of skills.
Expressions of Interest forchildren to attend the new kindergarten are now open.
