Arts centre up and running

By Shaun Inguanzo
IS IT Coomoora Secondary College, or Broadway?
It’s difficult to tell now that the Springvale South school’s new $220,000 performing arts centre has opened.
The school community can barely wait to act, sing and dance its way to a more rewarding performing arts future after the Federal Government pitched in $139,000 of the funds through its Investing in Our Schools program.
The school council, after years of tireless fundraising, then contributed $80,000 to the project.
An official launch with Senator Mitch Fifield took place on Monday.
Drama teacher Nathan Jackson-Smith said the centre operated in two distinct ways: presentation and performance modes.
“The performing arts centre is available to be used as a drama classroom, assembly space and will also benefit numerous community groups, such as weekend language schools, who have used the space in the past,” he said.
Mr Jackson-Smith said construction began in September 2006 and ended last month.
“It began after the school surveyed parents, students and staff about improvements that could be made with the Investing in Our Schools program,” he said.
“One area that always came up in the survey was a new drama space.”