Childcare centre plans for former Charnwood fire station site revealed

Is Fireman Sam your child’s hero? A new childcare centre at the former West Belconnen fire station site in Charnwood could be just what you’re looking for.

A development application has been lodged for a 176-place centre on the 3601-square-metre site and features a design that “pays homage to the original fire station”.

Kasparek Architects’ Fred Kasparek said the red grid feature that formed the former building’s distinctive facade will be incorporated into the new design.

“We didn’t want it to look like an ordinary residential building, we wanted it to look special and different,” Mr Kasparek said.

“It’s a fun thing, you don’t often get an opportunity to reference a fire station.”

Mr Kasparek said the design would also mirror the station’s rectangular form and original brickwork.

The interior fit-out has not yet been disclosed, but Kasparek said the centre could have fun continuing the theme throughout.

According to the application, the childcare centre will be operated by Peach and Co. and provide daytime and outside school hours care for up to 176 children, including 82 toddlers, 62 preschool and 32 nursery places.

The $1.98 million project will comprise 1157 square metres of secure playground areas, 42 car spaces and the 1217-square-metre building.

The site on the corner of Lhotsky Street and Florey Drive was earmarked for use as a childcare centre in the ACT government’s 2016-17 budget.

The former fire station has not been used since the new combined Belconnen Ambulance and Fire Station opened in Charnwood in 2013.

The site sold at a Land Development Agency auction for $2,145,000 in November.

It was zoned for community facilities, allowing for childcare, health facilities or a recreation centre.

A string of development applications for childcare centres were lodged with the ACT government in 2016.

Land releases with scope for childcare centres also proved popular with investors.