Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle attended Blaxland High School on August 12 to see the refurbishments to the library, including a noise reduction glass barrier and new furniture, as well as the upgrade to the oval cricket nets.
It was all made possible with Parents and Citizens success in the annual Community Building Partnership (CBP) grants.
The grants are about improving local community based infrastructure to enhance local communities.
"It is wonderful to come to Blaxland High School and see how my support of these CBP grants are making a difference to the Blue Mountains community," Ms Doyle said.
The refurbishments to the library have reconfigured this community space. The library is open during normal class hours and before and after school and is used by about 1000 students and staff for study, meetings, workshops and for interschool competitions.
"The noise reduction barriers and furniture allow seniors to get used to a university style area, enabling them to study uninterrupted while other class groups are in the library," said school librarian, Sharon Lawrence.
The Year 12 school captains agreed the changed library space has seen an increase in the number of students using the library outside of class time both for academic and community reasons.
Principal Nikki Tunica discussed with Ms Doyle how the Blaxland High School cricket nets could increase physical activity and social interaction within the school community.
"Coming into the cricket season, the nets will have more use as they are available to community sporting groups for training and to the general public as part of 'the Share our Space initiative," she said.
Ms Doyle said the grants for community infrastructure projects deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes. She encouraged community groups to apply for the funding.
"Local sports clubs, charities and P and Cs are just some of the groups that benefit," Ms Doyle said.
"The grants can pay for much-needed improvements to local facilities that promote participation in the local community. In 2018, 17 local community projects were funded. This is a wonderful result."
Applications for CBP grants open 2nd of September 2019 https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projects-and-initiatives/community-building-partnership/.