Campus Business Plan

The following was sent to the council in February 2010 regarding their proposals for the land

The Northern Block

The Southern Downs Regional Council to retain ownership of the oval but sell off surplus land for housing.

Rationale:

• To provide the need for Glennie Heights to have a recreational / cultural precinct in the future as the area naturally expands. Already Warwick is expanding, not because developers want it to, but because there is a population expansion that comes with the livability of the area and its increasing popularity as a centre of cultural activities in the region.  There is already recognition in the present Business Plan that an increase in both casual and permanent accommodation is occurring and the demand is increasing.
• To recoup some of the money spent on purchasing the site originally.
• This area along with Barnes Park could become a recreational/cultural precinct for the city.

Action:

Option 1 (Preferred)

Leave the oval where it is as it has a good turf wicket, 1 of only 3 in the city.

• Sell the land and the principal’s house along Horsman Rd. and several blocks along Weewondilla St. as residential development. Having a residential area surrounding a recreational reserve is an opportunity most councils would applaud if a developer suggested such an innovation.  It has “upmarket” value and ensures better security of facilities.
• The area should be advertised to the whole community as the Glennie Heights Recreational Reserve and signage erected appropriately.
• Beautify the land behind the houses by removing all unnecessary structures. Rebuild the cricket nets, repair the basketball courts, build a playground, plant trees, include picnic tables etc. etc. This could be rented to various sporting organizations to offset maintenance and would later become a potential home to a sporting team who is financially capable of maintaining the facility and taking over leasing of facilities for community use.  Space should be left available for a sporting club to establish facilities funded by patrons as the area grows.
• This area, along with part of Barnes Park (see below), would then be used by the Glennie Heights community for recreational and cultural purposes.

Option 2

Move the oval further to the north east corner of the block. It can be reduced slightly in size and still retain competition standards. A turf wicket would need to be retained.

• The trees surrounding the oval were planted and tagged to commemorate past students. These trees will need to be removed along with the plaques and the oval sign. New trees could be planted and the plaques and sign placed back again.
• Subdivide the remaining land along Weewondilla St. and Horsman Rd. for sale as housing blocks.
• Remove all other structures from the block excluding the Principal’s house which could be sold as is.
• Beautify the remaining area as above.

(The SPSA would be willing to work with the council to replace the trees and plaques.)

Barnes Park

While this area is not included in the Slade Business Plan it needs to be considered as set out below.

• Move the Hall from the southern block and place it in Barnes Park. Renovations would need to be done to attach a kitchenette and internal toilets. If these toilets have a locked external entrance they could be used by sporting groups if need be.

The hall to be named the St Catharine’s Hall, as that is where it stood originally and the school would now retain some presence in the city.

The hall could be hired out for many day and night events and activities in addition to its present use.

• Atkinson House also to be relocated to Barnes Park. This is the home of the Spinners and Weavers at present, who, we are led to believe, would be willing to raise funds to help with the removal of and renovations of this complex.

These buildings strategically placed in Barnes Park, with some landscaping, would provide an attractive cultural area which may attract similar groups to the park. There is also a wood turning group that could be housed there. Once again many activities could be held here from craft markets to performances. It would have similar potential as exemplified by “Old Petrie Town” in the Pine Rivers Shire.

• There are netball courts further into the park, which combined with the oval provides the beginnings of a small sporting complex which would be used by the people of Glennie Heights.

• There is also the Scout’s hut located in the park.

Each area has been defined using the Precincts as indicated in the Slade School Site –

Business Plan.

• To provide Warwick residents with a multipurpose function precinct.

Precinct 2

• With the Hall and toilet block removed it can be developed as residential blocks.

• Council to retain the Horsman Rd. frontage which includes Roberts House, the

demountables and the Manual Arts Building.

• With the removal of Atkinson house and the classroom block, which at present is

used by the New Hope Church, there is land that can be developed as residential

blocks.

This area could be reoffered to the High School for hiring along with the sporting

facilities across Horsman Road. Renovations would need to be carried out.

• Demountables sold to recoup some green area – although the school may be able

to use one or both in their present position.

• Robert’s House remodeled into classrooms

• Manual Arts building suitably renovated.

If not wanted by the High School the Council could retain Roberts House as

accommodation, sell the demountables and hire out the Manual Arts building.

Council to retain the entire precinct.

While the Association would like to see it retained for educational purposes a

multifunctional concept is possibly more applicable. These venues can be hired out to

school groups for camps, leadership camps etc.; to church groups; for weddings,

conferences; corporate weekends; retreats; sporting groups; Council functions and the list

goes on. With appropriate advertising these venues could see a decent, consistent cash

flow into the Council’s coffers.

Within the grounds are various plaques, as mentioned in the introductory letter, outlining

the history of the school and its relevance to the history of Warwick. Visitors to the

complex would be viewing a virtual museum.

• Slade HouseA closer association with the Glengallan Trust would further enhance the historical

connection between W.B. Slade’s old home and the history of the school and lead to an

extension of the tourist potential already established by the Glengallan Trust. It is the

‘Jewel in the Crown’ of the entire site and if renovated to its former glory can be hired

out for a variety of events such as

1. Fine Dining, particularly still serving after 8p.m. – we are led to

believe that many people drive to Stanthorpe to fill this need.

2. Brunch and light lunches at the weekend.

3. Wedding Receptions in conjunction with the Chapel (see below)

4. Corporate functions

5. Meeting/conference rooms

6. Professional Offices

7. Fund raising events

• Dining Room and KitchenMove this facility closer to the fence. This means Slade House can have an

attractive outlook from the street. The kitchen can then be used to cater for Slade

House, connected by a covered walk way, and St Catharine’s Hall.

The Dining Room can be hired to a variety groups for various functions.

• Barnes HouseThis house could be returned to accommodation.

The attached apartment is suitable for an administration office, and could possibly

provide accommodation for the caretaker/manager of the site.

• Chapel/Old Classroom Block (with stained glass windows)This building contains stained glass windows donated by families of deceased

past students. They were designed and constructed by a past student of the school

and his wife, a St Catharine’s past student. They are of significant importance to

the Association.

The Chapel could become the new venue for use by the New Hope Church.

Renovated well it would be an ideal Chapel for weddings, baptisms etc. and with

Slade House as a dining facility, it would enhance the site as a wedding venue.

• War Memorial Block – Science BlockThe Association is interested in maintaining a permanent presence in this facility.

The Museum and Archives will be developed further if permanent occupation is

achieved. The accompanying storerooms would be sufficient for storage of items

for preservation while one of the classrooms could be converted into an extension

of the museum to include more applicable memorabilia associated with the

pioneers of the Glennie Heights area.

The remaining classroom would become a multi-media meeting room which

would be made available for public and private use.

To facilitate this venture, the Association will establish a Trust to eventually

purchase the Block and develop its full potential. An initial injection of $25,000

will help to establish the project and make the changes necessary to convert it into

a commercially viable venture starting with rental of the space for educational and

promotional purposes. Various interested parties will be approached to run the

project on a commission basis and be operated in conjunction with existing

catering and accommodation facilities.

Though costings will be made available if council is interested in the project, it is

estimated that the full cost of readying the facility for the purposes outlined would

be in the vicinity of $50,000. As the building is of render, brick and concrete

construction, the Association is in a strong position to carry the costs of ongoing

repairs and maintenance should ownership be an option.

The project could conceivably be run if the Council maintained ownership over

the Historical Precinct on a leasing arrangement with appropriate benchmark

requirements that the Association would be obliged to meet. These benchmark

requirements would be established in consultation with the council and would be

the first step in forming a partnership between the Council and the Association.

To date this ongoing consultation has been missing and a change to a more

constructive relationship would lead to the eventual success of the venture going

forward.

While the Association has no real interest in this section of the campus a suggestion has

been made that, by Council retaining this area the swimming pool could be saved which

would add to the attractiveness of the site for youth groups wishing to hire the

multipurpose centre. Also cheaper accommodation for the Warwick needy e.g. the aged,

crisis housing, short term needs, could be erected here and they could make use of the

dining room and kitchen facilities.

Prince House is in good condition and is presently being used for accommodation. If

Council retains this precinct, once again the hiring of the multipurpose centre would be

more attractive, ensuring larger numbers could be accommodated which opens up another

tier of users.

Leave your comments please