New horizon: Builder announced for Albert Centre development

Blackfriars is pleased to announce that Horizon Construction Services has been selected to deliver our exciting new building project  – to be known as the Albert Centre.

SA-based Horizon has a proven track record of delivering high-end school builds, most recently at St Joseph’s School, Murray Bridge, Our Lady of Grace School, at Glengowrie, and St Margaret Mary’s School, at Croydon Park.

“We’re thrilled to have Horizon on board and look forward to seeing work start on the Albert Centre within weeks,” Blackfriars Principal David Ruggiero said.

“The Albert Centre, with the Aquinas Centre, form the centrepiece of the school’s current masterplan and will deliver bright, contemporary, state-of-the art spaces for our students to learn in and enjoy.

“This building will further cement Blackfriars’ reputation as one of the most advanced and dynamic learning environments in South Australia.

“My thanks to the school Board and Dominican Province of the Assumption for their support and dedication to the future of Blackfriars through this self-funded project.”

The $13 million Albert Centre development will create a home for Blackfriars’ new Food Science and Hospitality offerings. It will include expanded and enhanced STEM spaces, including laboratories and a dedicated virtual reality (VR) lab.

Named for the school’s Patron, St Albert the Great, the two-storey building will also house a new canteen and cafeteria space, as well as a dedicated hub for Year 9 students.

Designed by architects Swanbury Penglase, the Albert Centre will dovetail the award-winning Aquinas Centre – opened in early in 2021 – to further transform and enhance the school.

Once the Albert Centre is complete in early 2024, the adjacent Maher Building will be demolished to make way for an open-air plaza.

Horizon Construction Services Managing Director Matthew Pezzuto said his company was “extremely pleased” to partner with Blackfriars to deliver the Albert Centre.

“We are excited to be a part of the next stage of significant building works undertaken at Blackfriars,” Mr Pezzuto said. “The building will be an ultra-modern education facility that will give students a truly world-class environment in which to learn and thrive.”