Upgrade begins at Jamberoo School of Arts

CONSTRUCTION on the new Jamberoo School of Arts and preschool is underway through a new council partnership.

The old supper room building has been demolished and workers are preparing to demolish the old library, renovate the hall and construct a new permanent preschool building.

The work is being done through a partnership between Kiama Council and a work for the dole program run by Wollongong-based WCET.

The council's director of engineering and works, Brian Whittaker, said this is the first time the council has worked with WCET, although the organisation has done projects in Kiama before, including building the clubhouse at the back of the leisure centre.

Lyn Watkins, a community work coordinator with WCET, said using people on the work for the dole program benefited everyone since construction costs would be kept down and the workers would learn useful trade skills.

"There are about 24 participants here and they will benefit through learning building and construction skills, landscaping, painting and tiling," she said.

"They will also receive a greencard certificate to help them with employments on completion of the project.

"They don't get much opportunity to do this kind of work so it's fairly unique."

Chairman of the Jamberoo Preschool Committee Warwick Shanks said he was very happy the work was well underway.

"It's taken a long time but overall the time is worth it because we got the design right," he said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing it go up after having watched it all come."

Another member of the committee, Elizabeth Burnett, said having a permanent preschool and a community facility would be a great asset for the whole town.

The new preschool is planned to be able to accommodate 28 children and be open more than 40 weeks a year.

The construction is expected to be finished by Christmas.