Expansion work begins for Bega Education Centre

Sep 02, 2005

Work has begun on extensions to the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Bega Education Centre to help cater for expanding student numbers.

The centre at 176 Auckland Street was opened on 21 July 2000, and is operated jointly by UOW, the Illawarra Institute of TAFE and Bega High School.It presently accommodates in a floor area of 395 square metres, a computer laboratory, two classrooms, two small tutorial rooms, an administration office and amenities.

An adjoining property at 178 Auckland Street, was purchased in February 2002. After minor modifications, the existing cottage was used for overflow teaching and administration purposes.With the expansion of teaching at Bega to include nursing, the Clinical Education Unit (a joint operation with the ANU Medical School) was opened at Bega District Hospital on 4 August 2003.

Now in order to cater for increasing student numbers, the existing Education Centre is being enlarged by constructing a new wing on the adjoining land. The extensions will be completed in time for the start of classes in mid-February 2006.The Manager of UOW’s Education Centres, Ms Anne Mitchell, said the University wanted the second stage to seamlessly blend with the original building, and this has been achieved by the architects, Michael Marshman and Associates Pty Ltd. Following competitive tenders, the construction contract was awarded to Manteena Pty Limited.

“The completed centre will project a modern, welcoming face to Auckland Street, Bega,” she said.The new facilities will include two classrooms, two large tutorial rooms, a tutors’ room (incorporating the two existing small tutorial rooms), administration offices and extra facilities. A large entry lounge and a rear courtyard have also been included to provide students with pleasant spaces in which to meet and mingle outside of class time.

The floor area of Stage 2 is 355 square metres which will provide a total area of 750 square metres within the expanded centre.The existing centre will operate as usual throughout the construction period.

The Federal Government’s Department of Education, Science and Training has provided partial funding for the project as its contribution towards nursing education.

For further information contact Ms Anne Mitchell on (02) 4221 5668.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128