CONSTRUCTION of the new Collie Child Care and Early Learning Centre in Medic Street is to begin in the new financial year and is expected to be completed by September.
Collie Shire Council chief executive Jason Whiteaker said the centre would be located on the skate park site at the recreation ground, with the skate park moving to Soldiers' Park. "We are finalising the plans for the child care centre so we hope that construction would commence in the third quarter of 2013," he said.
A letter signed by the centre group's director and chairman was released to parents and carers indicating the new building's floor plans had been approved by the committee.
"The committee has only endorsed the floor plan of the building. This does not include the facade or appearance of the building (colours, roof lines, elevations etc)," the letter said.
Centre chairman Mark Woodland said there were several more stages to consider before building could start.
Final plans and costs still needed to be approved, he said.
The building needed to benefit the educational needs of the children attending and it needed to be spacious and well ventilated. "The council's very supportive of that," Mr Woodland said.
Relocation of the centre was part of the council's efforts to develop the central business district's proposed central park.
One of the committee's conditions on moving was that the centre would not be closed for even one day during the relocation process.
The floor plan for the new centre is to be displayed in the foyer of the existing building.