Bass Coast Shire Council has purchased a vacant block of land that forms part of what is locally known as the ‘Old Warley Hospital’ site on Warley Avenue in Cowes.
This block of land will be the future home of Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL).
While Council had previously budgeted for the development of a new building for PICAL, the existing location on Church Street is set to become home to the State Government’s Phillip Island Community Hospital. This meant another location needed to be found for the new PICAL building.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, said Council has worked closely with the PICAL Board to investigate available sites within the Cowes CBD to ensure that the most appropriate location was found.
“Accessibility and future growth were among the important considerations when selecting the site,” Cr Tessari said.
“The site on Warley Avenue provides the ideal location to ensure PICAL’s current and future needs are met.”
PICAL Committee Chair Steve Munro said that PICAL welcomed the news of the land purchase.
“This was our preferred location as it is central for all of our local community,” Mr Munro said.
“We look forward to working with Council on a design that fits everything we do now, and which will also allow scope for future demand for our services”.
“PICAL is confident this new home will be a valuable community asset well into the future”.
Planning will soon begin on the final designs for PICAL’s new building. The delivery of the building has been funded in Council’s 2019/20 Renewal Program, with $1.5 million being committed to the Project.
