New high school gyms - North and South

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 23 November, 2009 - 08:22

Seven million dollars worth of new gyms will open for school and community use this week at Belconnen and Stromlo High Schools.

These new gyms are part of the $496 million investment the ACT Labor Government is making in upgrading every ACT public school, and building new schools where they are needed.

Each of the state-of-the-art gyms can accommodate two classes at one time and consist of a full size competition basketball court, two half size basketball courts, two volleyball courts, six badminton courts, one full netball court, one indoor hockey court, one indoor soccer court and an indoor climbing wall.

The Stromlo gym also has a weights room.

Both gyms have been designed in consultation with the school principals, and have had features installed for the capture, storage and re-use of rainwater.

These gyms are an important part of the ACT Labor Government’s continuing program to improve ‘where’, ‘what’, and ‘how’ students learn in ACT schools.

They are also an important part of ACT Labor’s ongoing commitment to ensuring physical activity remains part of a well-rounded education in the ACT.

Local and international research, and the recently released Crawford report all point to the link between in physical activity and better academic achievement, which is why investing in facilities such as these is so important.

These gyms will also be a boost for the community in both North and South Canberra, providing community access to the facilities after school hours.

Our investments in projects such as these, combined with the Federal Labor's Building the Education Revolution are also supporting the jobs of thousands of Canberrans in the building industry.