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School COLA | Covered
Outdoor Learning Areas

At Greenline, we design Covered Outdoor Learning Areas (COLAs) to create enjoyable, functional spaces for students and teachers. Enhance learning with outdoor classrooms that inspire and refresh young minds.

Bring the classroom outdoors with the coverage provided by school COLAs.

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Trusted by 1,098 schools across Australia

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    COLA: Covered Outdoor Learning Area

    Think of your shade structure as a canopy. In a forest, the canopy maintains optimum conditions for encouraging new growth. We now know that our learning environments are critical to achieving good learning outcomes, so give students an environment they can thrive in with a school COLA.

    Greenline’s school COLAs are large-span steel structures that transform your outdoor space and give you all-weather use of your sports courts, eating areas, and more. With zero obstructions by weather conditions to learning, play, or lunchtime, students can always make the most of outdoor learning areas.

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    What is a COLA?

    A Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) is a shaded outdoor space designed to support classroom learning, outdoor activities, and play. These steel structures are built to withstand harsh weather, making them a practical addition to any school environment. COLAs are versatile and suit different needs, such as assembly areas, playground covers, or outdoor sports courts.

    COLAs often feature weather protection, soundproofing, and bird-proofing to ensure they remain functional and clean. They’re also designed to enhance natural lighting while providing shade, creating a balanced and inviting learning environment. The term ‘covered outdoor learning area’ gained prominence in Australia following a large government investment in 2007, making COLAs synonymous with high-quality, steel shade structures for schools.

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    Common Applications

    COLAs are most commonly used in the following areas:

    • Sports Courts: Provide long term all-weather access to multipurpose courts for netball, volleyball, and other activities.
    • Outdoor Dining Areas: Create shaded spaces for students to eat and socialise.
    • Playgrounds: While less common, they do create safe play areas protected from sun and rain.
    • Assembly Spaces: Facilitate gatherings with soundproofing and acoustic features.
    • Walkways and Bus Stops: Smaller versions in these spaces offer cover for added convenience and safety.

    These large steel structures are designed to fit seamlessly into your school’s environment while meeting high quality standards and safety requirements.

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    Wondering how much your project will cost?

    Wondering what it would cost to have a Covered Outdoor Learning Area built at your school or organisation? Try out our cost estimator tool – you’ll just need to know a few details like rough dimensions of the space and how accessible the area is. If you don’t know the size of your area, give us a call and we will map it out for you on Nearmap (an accurate and up to date aerial mapping service).

    Project Estimate Tool

    Real COLA projects, real results

    With over 20 years of shade solution experience, Greenline has provided multiple schools with a COLA customised to their learning environments and students’ needs. All of our shade structures are made to withstand harsh weather conditions while also being aesthetically pleasing. So there is no need to compromise on design when needing to protect a play area or learning environment.

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    Galen Catholic College COLA Project

    Challenge:
    Students were regularly exposed to heat and rain during pickup times, and the school lacked usable outdoor space for lessons or events.

    Solution:
    Greenline delivered three new covered areas for student pickup and a large COLA positioned between the tennis courts and sports oval.

    Results:

    1. Students and parents now wait comfortably, protected from extreme weather.
    2. Teachers use the new COLA for outdoor classes, assemblies, and presentations.
    3. Spectators at sporting events have shaded seating with clear views of the action.
    4. The school gained valuable, flexible space, without building new infrastructure
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    Castle Hill High School COLA

    Challenge:
    With a growing student population, Castle Hill needed weatherproof outdoor space for sports and school-wide assemblies — all without disrupting the campus aesthetic.

    Solution:
    Greenline designed and installed a sleek, curved COLA over the basketball courts, complete with integrated birdproofing and architectural harmony.

    Results:

    1. Students now play, train, and learn outdoors in any weather.
    2. The school can hold full assemblies on-site for the first time in 5 years.
    3. The structure enhances both function and appearance, blending seamlessly with the campus.
    4. Teachers and staff gain a reliable, multi-purpose space for events and outdoor learning.
    Blackburn Steel Contruction

    Blackburn High School COLA Project

    Challenge:
    The school needed a large-scale, all-weather space where students could play, learn, and gather — without interruptions from sun or rain.

    Solution:
    Greenline delivered a massive, multi-court COLA with integrated seating and sports equipment, designed to support both recreation and learning.

    Results:

    1. Students stay active year-round with full protection from sun and rain.
    2. The school gained a versatile venue for sport, outdoor lessons, and events.
    3. Tiered seating creates a natural gathering space for spectators and students.
    4. Staff now have a go-to location for flexible programming, rain or shine.
      Blackburn Steel Contruction

      Blackburn High School 3D Video

      • Construction started in August 2018 and was completed early 2019.
      • Covering 2 full size basketball courts and 4 volleyball courts and includes concrete tiered seating and integrated sports equipment.
      • The structure measures at 38m x 61m.


      Click here to view our video

      SEE PROJECT

      COLA sizes and styles

      Find a shade solution for your school’s outdoor learning areas no matter the scale of the project with Greenline. Our school COLA structures come in various shapes, styles, sizes, and materials to suit the needs and image of any school environment.

      SIZES

      COLAs typically span anywhere from 10m wide to 50m wide, however, due to the way they are constructed they are almost limitless in size.

      Along with the area they can cover, the ability to construct them with a curved or gable roof makes them a great option where sports-grade clearance heights are required.

      Traditionally these structures are designed as a rectangle as this is the most efficient layout however, as all Greenline structures are designed in-house, they can be customised to best fit your space.

      STYLES

      Gable – this is the classic COLA shape

      Curved – this shape is sometimes referred to as a barrel vault and is a modern take on the more traditional gable style.

      Skillion – a flat or angled roof steel structure

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      Choosing materials for your structure

      Aesthetically, one of the main aspects of your COLA will be the roof cladding (external layer). This is typically constructed from Colorbond which comes in a range of colours. If you choose to add skirts (see more on this under ‘endless possibilities’ on this page) to your structure, these are usually constructed from the same Colorbond cladding as the roof.

      The gutters and downpipes can either be matched to the roof colour, or you can choose a contrasting colour to create a two-tone feature. The other main aspect of your COLA is the steel work.

      There are two main finishes for columns:

      • Galvanised – a highly durable raw silver/grey finish
      • Colorbond – also very durable and comes in a range of colours.

      Skylights and Infills

      Depending on the range of skylights you choose from, these can come in clear, white, or blue. The same material can also be used to create end infills.

      Choosing to add Skylights and Infills can give you even greater flexibility in how you use the space – for more details see the ‘Endless Possibilities’ section further down on this page.

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      Benefits of a COLA structure

      COLAs allow for year-round assembly, outdoor play and innovative student learning opportunities with all-weather access to all school spaces.
      Discuss Your Project

      Flexibility in scheduling lessons and sporting events in the area

      Remove the stress and frustration of having to reschedule sport lessons and activities at the last minute due to rain or other inclement weather. By covering your sports courts and activity areas you gain all year-round access to your facilities, whatever the weather!

      Improve the longevity of your artifical turf

      Artificial turf can be up to 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. Over time this can lead to the surface breaking down from UV overexposure. Covering this turf not only makes it last longer, but also makes the space much safer for staff and students using the area at the height of summer.

      Community use

      Covering your existing facilities can make it an attractive area for community use, outside of school hours.

      Protects your staff and students from the harsh UV rays

      A well-designed, covered outdoor learning area will not only protect staff and students from the sun’s rays or keep the rain off, this shade option offers the opportunity to take your classroom outside.

      Research shows that outdoor learning encourages increased interaction and engagement by both students and teachers.

      Bird proofing

      Bird proofing is a simple and effective way to reduce the amount of maintenance and cleaning needed for your structure, as well as making it a healthier and safer environment for students and teachers alike. It is also required to meet some state government compliance regulations.

      As we all know, prevention is much better than cure! Unlike bird spikes or bird netting, your COLA can be designed so that it does not contain any roosting locations at all, completely eliminating the issue as well as any ongoing maintenance needs that go along with netting or spikes.

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      Features of a commercial COLA structure

      Adding some (or all!) of the following features to a traditional COLA can transform your space into a functional and practical multipurpose facility.

      SKYLIGHTS AND END INFILLS
      Opting for Skylights and End Infills is an easy way to get even more use from your space. The added access to natural light will mean you can use this space on even the most cloudy, overcast days. Natural light gives students the feel of being outdoors without exposing them to unhealthy amounts of UVR.

      ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
      Adding artificial lighting to your structure gives you the option and ability to host evening games and events in the great outdoors. This is especially important if you plan on having out of hours community usage.

      PA SYSTEM
      Be heard above the noise! Incorporating a PA System into your structure is an excellent way to make it more functional for both games, assemblies, and events.

      POST PADS
      Improve the safety of your space with post pads on the columns to minimise the risk of students colliding with metal surfaces. Don’t fill out more paperwork than you have to!

      SOUND PROOFING/ABSORBING
      Steel can produce a lot of echoes and sound reverberation when in use. To minimise this, soundproofing can be installed in the ceiling. Synthetic grass court surfacing is also effective for further absorbing noise.

      SIDE SKIRTS
      Side Skirts refers to adding sides that come vertically down (typically about a metre) along the edges of the structure. They minimise the amount of driving rain that can enter the space and maximise the duration of shade coverage throughout the day.

      SPORTING EQUIPMENT/ACCESSORIES
      Sporting equipment like basketball and netball hoops can be integrated into your structure to eliminate unnecessary posts, making the space safer and more versatile. For multi-purpose spaces, hoops can be retractable to allow full use of the space when the hoops are not in use.

      MATERIALS
      Materials will be primarily waterproof, membrane or steel. The term COLA has become synonymous with metal/steel roof structures, however for the creation of your Covered Outdoor Learning Area, structure type and covering options are entirely in your hands. You will want to consider your COLA’s primary

      Discuss your COLA project

      Ready to transform your outdoor spaces into inspiring, functional learning environments?

      Connect with your local Greenline expert today—Sam, Duncan, and Reuben are here to guide you every step of the way.

      Common Questions About COLAs

      What size COLA structure do I need for my school?

      The right size depends on how you plan to use the space—whether for assemblies, sport, outdoor learning, or general shelter. We custom-design COLA structures to fit your available space and meet your school’s specific needs.

      Do I need council approval or permits to build a COLA?

      Yes, in most cases, council approval or a Development Application (DA) is required. We’re familiar with local council requirements and can assist you through the process to ensure everything is compliant and approved.

      How long does it take to design and install a COLA?

      Project timelines vary depending on the complexity and scale of the structure. In general, design, approvals, and installation can take several weeks to a few months. We’ll work closely with you to schedule the project around school terms and minimise disruption.

      Can a COLA structure be customised for our school’s needs?

      Absolutely. From roof shapes and sizes to colour finishes, skylights, and integrated lighting, we offer a wide range of customisation options to suit your school’s aesthetic and functional requirements.

      What kind of maintenance is required for a COLA structure?

      COLA structures are designed to be low-maintenance. Periodic cleaning and inspections are usually all that’s needed to keep the structure in excellent condition. We use durable, long-lasting materials that can handle the demands of school environments.
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      Greenline Group Pty Ltd
      3 Dangar Place, East Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
      PO Box 8487, Kooringal NSW 2650

      1800 044 200

      Email: hello@greenline.com.au
      Sydney Phone: 02 9023 9960
      Melbourne Phone: 1800 044 200 

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