Rawlinsons was engaged by the Department of Finance, Building Management and Works (BMW) to provide full cost management consultancy excluding a BOQ, for a new Performing Arts building and upgrading the existing performing arts centre at Belmont City College.
The scope consists of constructing a new Performing Arts theatre that accommodated fixed seating for 242 people with 115sqm of performance space, dedicated to the schools theatre productions. A new Bio Box, located at the rear of the seating tiers, provides the theatre with new stage controls along with new lighting and stage equipment. A new 120sqm costume and prop store is located at the rear of the performance space with additional storage under the seating tiers. The existing Performing Arts building is partially refurbished with the existing chairs/prop/flats store reconfigured to provide additional storage space. The new lobby opens up to an open atrium and/or outdoor waiting area with new landscape and paving. The existing seating area to the existing Canteen have been removed to provide an airy covered waiting area which connects the existing carpark to the new performing arts centre. The exiting covered walkway has been upgraded to provide clear direction toward the new performing arts centre.
Besides providing the traditional full Quantity Surveying services from estimating to post contract, Rawlinsons was actively involved with the value engineering process particularly with the electrical services including the specialist performing equipment, lighting and audio visual. Rawlinsons held a workshop with the electrical consultant as well as Stagecraft and worked through the major cost items. A re-configuration of the bar lighting system and re-selection of specialist performance light fittings resulted in significant savings and brought the project back on budget.
Rawlinsons established a collaborative and amicable working relationship with the Client, all consultants and Contractor to ensure good teamwork throughout the project. Belmont City College Performing Arts was completed with contingency remaining and despite delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, opened in time for the 2021 school year.
