THE sound of excitement and bicycle wheels spinning is set to return to Millicent’s road traffic school next month, following a major and well-overdue facelift.
Local businesses, service clubs and individuals have jumped on board and worked countless hours on the $80,000 project, which was funded by OneFortyOne and Wattle Range Council.
Once a popular venue for birthday parties, the state of the traffic school has deteriorated over the years, as well as the number of people using the facility.
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi said it was great to finally see the building and outdoor area revitalised.
“The road traffic school was built 50 years ago as an open shelter shed and since then I think it may have received one minor upgrade,” he said.
“There certainly has not been anything in the last few decades at least.”
Changes to the facility include new guttering, windows, lighting, and fencing, a kitchenette area and a separate open space room, painting to the buildings exterior and interior and fresh carpet.
There will be external access to the building and the internal toilet has been converted into a disabled toilet, which will be publicly accessible during the day.
Mr Gandolfi was pleased to announce a button had been introduced to allow public use of the traffic lights.
“The real magic is parents can bring their kids to the facility, push a button and the lights will turn on for half an hour at a time in daylight hours,” he said.
“It will be great for families.”
Meanwhile, upgrades will extend to the outdoor area where the roads have been bituminised ready for line marking, the islands will be painted yellow, the round-about landscaped and new signs will be installed.
“Already the area is a lot nicer,” Mr Gandolfi said.
“The fence is user friendly, before we had a gate with a padlock on it so many people thought they actually were not allowed in.
“We have set it up so it is effectively permanently open.
“The gate will still be locked, to stop cars driving in, but then there is open access each side, which will always be there.
“There has been a tonne of volunteer work involved with this, the Lions Club has been helping out heaps and local contractor Trev Taylor donated the kitchenette.
“It would not be possible without all the volunteer support.”
Mr Gandolfi said the road traffic school was a “great asset to the town”.
“The facility is unique to the Limestone Coast and will attract people from out of town to come and use it,” he said.
“In recent years the usage has not been as great as it used to be and it has not been as popular for children’s birthdays and public use.
“It was in such a poor state before the renovations and I am looking forward to its completion – it is going to be a ball.”
Upon completion community members will be able to hire out the building for birthday parties, events or general use through the council for $40, which effectively covers cleaning costs.
In the fees structure, the fee will be waived for education purposes, such as school visits.
It is anticipated the upgrades will be finished in time for a grand opening event on Sunday, September 16.
This event will be open to the general public, and the council is still finalising plans for the day.
