Caroline Chisholm Catholic College has finally opened its new arts centre.
The $5 million St Madeleine Arts Centre, at the school’s all-girls Christ the King campus, was opened last Wednesday.
The building replaced the old centre and former convent for the Society of the Sacred Heart nuns, and was transformed into more than 1400m2 of space over two-stories for the school’s creative programs.
It will host drama, dance, music, studio and visual arts and is flexible enough to also cater for large gatherings and performances.
College principal Marco Di Cesare said the completed product was a credit to the college.
“We are delighted and proud to offer our current and future students a building that will provide an inspirational environment for them to do great work,” he said.
“We have waited five years to build this new facility and we couldn’t be more delighted with the finished product.
“As our young people interact with this environment, hopefully it will go on to inspire and evoke contemplation for many generations.”
While delighted with the finished product, Mr Di Cesare said it had been a long journey to get to the point of opening, with many obstacles overcome.
“I must say it has been a journey to get to this point today – one that involved delays, postponement, more delays, followed by a postponement. It saw three campus directors … at times it was a struggle, we faced many issues,” he said.
“Not the least of which was an undiscovered diesel tank, some asbestos, as well as copper thieves.
“There were certainly some challenges with this building and I know there were times when a certain college principal exercised some artistic license as he tried to remain calm.”
