Victoria University carpentry students have completed construction of a top-class tennis pavilion at Bayside P-12 College in Williamstown.
About 60 pre-apprentices and apprentices chipped in to build the Bayside Williamstown Tennis Pavilion over the past two years, transforming eight school tennis courts into a $380,000 community sporting venue.
Carpentry teacher Brett Hoggard said the project gave the students an opportunity to develop trade skills and learn team work on a real-life construction project that used new technologies and materials.
“This is something they can drive past in 20 years time and say to their children, ‘I built that,’” he said.
VU students were involved in all aspects of the project, including ordering materials, liaising with other trades, framing, fixing and concreting surrounding areas, and construction.
The new facility was made with environmentally sustainable materials that minimise heat absorption into the pavilion while maximising shade for players and spectators.
The pavilion opened at the end of October, and features extensive verandahs, a pro-shop, a kitchen, meeting rooms and a 15,000-litre underground water tank.
Project sponsors Hobsons Bay City Council and Bayside College said the students’ work was top-class, said Brett.
“This facility provided real-life learning on something that puts the high quality of our students’ skills on display to the general public,” he said.
