AFTER more than two years of planning, ground has finally been broken on the expansion of Dunlea Centre.
The Engadine centre, Australia's original Boystown, is an independent residential school which combines therapy, education and support.
The centre is designed for students who struggle in mainstream high schools and helps them deal with conflict.
As part of the expansion two new single-story classrooms will be built and existing buildings will be refurbished.
Dunlea Centre executive director Paul Mastronardi said the new buildings would provide a first-rate environment for the students.
"Our existing buildings are around 50 years old so the buildings we've been operating in are quite outdated," he said.
"The new buildings will be purpose built for the programs we run and will let us add an extra unit.
"We've been working towards this for so long so it's almost disbelief that it's finally coming up.
"We're hoping that the new buildings will be ready by the end of the year to coincide with out 75th anniversary."
