Lankarama [Projects]

BUDDHIST TEMPLE - SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

Lankarama Development Projects

A Brief History

When Lankarama moved to Schofields in July 1997, the SLBVA embarked on a major development programme to convert the property into a temple. A master programme was prepared and presented to the community at a Special General Meeting held in 1997 and to the Annual General Meeting held in August 1997. The Master Plan is displayed at Lankarama.

Our first priority was to formalise all documents and seek Council approval to function as a place of worship. The committee consulted the Blacktown Council and submitted a development application, which was approved in May 1998.

Based on the Master Plan, priority was given to develop the Bo-Maluwa area and pathways and to extend the Sil area to the adjoining double garages. In accordance with Council development conditions, a car park was to be constructed for 50 cars. The SLBVA committee appointed a sub-committee to prepare detailed architectural, engineering and landscaping plans and submit a building application to the Blacktown Council. The sub-committee consisting of dedicated volunteers of our community worked tirelessly to submit the building application to the Council in October 1998. The building application was approved in April 1999.

April 1999 to April 2000, was a year of hard work. The dedicated engineers, architects, landscape architects, horticulturists and other volunteers of Lankarama worked hard to complete the extension of the Sil area, toilets, car park and landscaping work to the Council satisfaction. The Council finally approved all the works in May 2000 saying that the workmanship and the quality of works are beyond the Council's expectations. Thus Lankarama has been approved as a Monastery and Meditation Centre in May 2000.

Chethiya Development Project

A motion was adopted at the Annual General Meeting held in August 1999 to construct a Chethiya at Lankarama ahead of other stage 2 projects such as the Assembly Hall and Shrine Room. The committee immediately formed a Chethiya Development Committee and engaged in preliminary planning and fund raising activities. A model of the Chethiya was made. The site was made a sacred place after Maha Sangha chanted Pirith and blessed it on 30th October 1999, the day on which Katina Pinkama was held.

The proposed Chethiya will consist of the following primary components:

A square elevated platform surrounded by a short wall. This would serve as a podium for the Chethiya as well as providing additional space for circumambulation/meditation under favourable weather conditions. The proposed dimensions are approximately 10 m square, elevated to approved Council building heights.
A hemispherical dome with doors for entry and exit. The proposed dimensions of the Chethiya is approximately 7 m diameter and 14.1 m in height.
A pinnacle (Kotha) at the top, to be consistent with traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist stupas.

The total height of the proposed structure would be approximately 10 m above the existing ground level and every attempt will be made to blend the structure with the existing environment.

The key milestones achieved on Chethiya development project are as follows.

Proposal to build a Chethiya approved at the AGM-August 1999
Chethiya Development Committee appointed at the AGM- August 2000
Workshop on types and cost of Chethiya Project- March 2001
Development Application submitted to the Blacktown Council- September 2001
Development Approval Received from the Council - July 2002
Building Application with detailed design submitted to the Council- August 2002
Construction certificate/Building Approval received from the Council- December 2002
Foundation stone laid-January 2003
Public tenders called- February 2003
Contract award- April 2003

For more up to date details, please refer to Lankarama Development Committee Report for Year 2001/2002.

Chethiya Development Fund

Dear devotees/friends,

In order to raise the required funds for this task and to provide an equal opportunity for all devotees to take part in this lifetime opportunity, arrangements have been made for you to reserve a unit of this project for A$200.00. Please join this invaluable meritorious activity by reserving these units. · You may allocate one or more units.· If the necessity arises, provision is available for more than one person to get-together with others, in order to reserve one or more units.· You could reserve units now and make donations later-before the construction is completed. We earnestly request your devoted co-operation and contribution in the name of Buddha-Sasana for the fulfillment of this historic task which may be once in a lifetime.

Please contact Lankarama on (02) 9627 2594 or Email: lankarama_vihara@dodo.com.au

Click here for the Donation and Pledge From (PDF format document)

Chethiya Construction Commenced on 12/05/03

The Lankarama Chethiya construction was commenced on 12 May 2003. Five months after receiving the Construction Certificate from the Blacktown City Council, the contract was signed with AVANT Construction Pty Ltd on 22 April 2003 to construct the structural components of the Chethiya.

Immediately after receiving the approval from the Council, the tender documents and specifications were prepared by the Lankarama Chethiya Development Committee (CDC). A tender notice was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 3^rd of February. Initially, seven companies collected the tender documents. When tenders were closed on 28^th February and only two conforming tenders were received. A tender evaluation committee evaluated the tenders and both tenders were rejected due to high cost factors. It was observed that due to the unusual shape of the Chethiya, the contractors were over estimating the cost of construction and adding a substantial margin to cover the risk.

In order to minimize the apparent risk, the CDC had to investigate alternative designs, construction modes and methods and it was decided to collect selected tenders for the structural components of the Chethiya. The CDC contacted over ten local contractors and received three tenders. The Tender Board awarded the contract to AVANT Construction Pty Ltd.

The CDC is currently investigating methods and modes of construction of balance works consisting of Pesa walau, Koth karalla, Disabled Ramp, three Mal Asanas, Display Cabinets, electrical works, ventilation, tiling, paving etc.

Some of the work will be carried out on voluntary basis and volunteers/donations are welcome. The SLBVA appreciates if you could inform on what areas of voluntary work you could do to participate in this meritorious activity.

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