SYDNEY: Galstaun College has announced that it has secured, under the Federal Government's Building Education Revolution funding program, the amount of $850,000. These funds will go towards the construction of a multi-purpose indoor sports and performance centre (including a large hall for functions) on its picturesque Ingleside Campus. (Artist Impressions below)

Preliminary work has already begun on Stage 1 of the project, designed by College parent Shahe Simonian of MacCorrmick-Simonian Architects. Stage 1 will incorporate an indoor sports/gymnastics centre, including 2 basketball courts, gymnasium, stage and related facilities, and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2010, or early 2011.

"This promises to be an excellent indoor sports facility for our College students," said Principal Kaylar Michaelian. "It will, however, serve not only our College but also the whole Sydney-Armenian community, as well as the wider local community."

"We are always extremely grateful and appreciate the tireless efforts and services donated to the College by our Community and, in particular, our College parents such as in this case by Shahe Simonian and Sarkis Mouradian, who lead our College's Building & Infrastructure Committee," acknowledged Carolyn Blanden of Galstaun College.

"They have been instrumental in bringing this great idea to life and they have already demonstrated how we can make this valuable grant go a long way with the support and contribution of our community."

Board Chairperson Ara Vartoukian said: "We have consulted and worked very closely from the outset of this project with the with our community organisations to ensure that the new indoor sports and performance centre caters for wider community needs.

"This has of course included our parent body, Hamazkaine Regional Committee of Australia, as well as Regional Committee representatives of the Homenetmen Sporting and Scouting Association, and through them, Basketball New South Wales.

"We will continue to work closely with them throughout this project."

Heros Grigorian, Chairperson of Hamazkaine's Regional Committee, stated: "Galstaun College always has and always will be an important asset of the entire Sydney Armenian Community and this exciting new addition will continue with this important mission to serve the entire Community."

Stage 2 of the project will be a basketball centre court configured with spectator seating. Stage 3 of the project envisages professional audio, lighting and other staging facilities for the multipurpose hall to be used as a performance centre by the College and the community.

As a performance space and hall, the centre will be known as the Smokey Dawson Performance Centre in honour of the memory of the late and great Smokey Dawson, who was a benefactor of Galstaun College.

"We cannot think of a more fitting tribute to honour the memory of our beloved Smokey Dawson than a performance centre in his name on his former ranch-site, where Galstaun College is now located," said Principal Michaelian.

More details regarding this exciting project will be forthcoming.

The following are an artist's impressions of the complex.