DEMOLITION works are underway at two of the oldest buildings on the Chisholm TAFE site in Frankston.
The C and E buildings by Quality Street are currently being knocked down. The buildings are being demolished to make way for the $67 million stage two works taking place at Chisholm TAFE.
Chisholm’s director of campus services, infrastructure and IT, Richard Pratten, said the old buildings are no longer fit for purpose.
“Many of our past students have shared wonderful memories from their time at the Frankston campus, which have been gratefully received by our team. We hope that they look back in fondness for our old buildings and are excited to welcome the new facility which will give the next generation of students the cutting-edge learning experience that they also received when studying with us”, Mr Pratten said.
“Local council was consulted during the development of the concept design in 2019. Following the announcement of funding for the stage 2 project a number of community consultation sessions were held prior to the commencement of the demolition. Community consultation revealed the emotional attachment that many of our local residents and past students have with the existing building. We are actively seeking their stories and memories so that they can be documented and preserved.
“The new building will provide an environmentally sustainable state of the art teaching and learning space with flexibility and efficiency. The buildings have been adapted and repurposed several times over their lifetime, recent reviews have shown that the cost to maintain the existing building will continue to grow and become untenable into the future. There is a need to create spaces and the facilities that align with the way we teach our students today and into the future. We are moving from traditional classroom formats to spaces that allow cross disciplinary interaction, flexibility and spaces for students and staff to engage spontaneously.”
Over the years, the old C and E buildings have been used as a secondary and technical trade school. Two decades ago they began to house Chisholm’s art and design facilities, as well as its library.
Chisholm director and CEO Stephen Varty said that the works would add new learning space to “respond to drawing industry needs” including “community services, VCE/VCAL and foundation college courses, along with bespoke spaces for art and design.”
“The precinct will also bring together a range of student support services into a student hub, along with a gallery space and onsite food and retail outlets,” he said.
Committee for Greater Frankston president Rod Evenden said “when completed, Frankston’s Chisholm campus will be Victoria’s largest technical training institute and meet our local businesses’ demand for job-ready graduates.”
The $85 million stage one works at the Frankston campus were finished in 2019. Work on stage two is projected to be complete in 2023.