KUCHING: The construction of the new SJK(C) Stampin is now at 90 per cent completion and is expected to be handed over to the school by April and used in June.
It had been agreed that the school, which currently sits along Jalan Tun Jugah, be relocated to a 1.2ha plot adjacent to Gala City integrated development project through a land swap deal between Gala City developer San Chin-BBC JV Sdn Bhd and the state government in March last year.
In return for the land swap, San Chin-BBC JV agreed to construct a new school and fully bear the estimated RM17-million construction costs of the school.
Speaking during a press conference at Gala City’s sales office yesterday, the developer’s managing director Lee Chin Teck told reporters that the new school’s facilities would be a vast upgrade from the current one.
“This new school has 30 classrooms, an upgrade from the existing 12 classrooms at the old school, and it is equipped with full facilities, a canteen, air-conditioned assembly hall, science labs and dental lab – it has everything.”
Once the school has been successfully relocated, Lee informed that the old school will be knocked down to make way for a hotel and two shophouses that will further complement the Gala City development and its surrounding communities.
The hotel will be six storeys tall with 190 rooms, with construction is expected to be completed by next year.
Lee also said the sky bridge adjacent to the present school would dismantled as there would no longer be a need for it once the school has been relocated.
Residents of surrounding areas, who were present during the press conference, were quick to approve the move, with some saying the bridge is seldom used by students and has become more of a place for drug users to loiter.
Meanwhile, the 90 per cent completed Gala City is expected to be ready for move-in by June and its management will be holding a preview event of the development to the public on Feb 1 at its shophouse and mall hybrid – Gala Street Mall.
The event will be a business matching opportunity for landlords and prospective tenants for Gala City’s commercial area.
Additionally, a mock-up apartment will also be available for viewing for interested buyers.