Avondale moves on as history demolished

A piece of Auckland's wartime history is to be knocked down to make way for the upgrade of Avondale Intermediate. The school, housed in remnants of a former United States Naval hospital, will be demolished by the end of next year in a $7.25 million upgrade project. Construction of 22 new classrooms and specialist rooms starts next week, more than 60 years after the foundations for the hospital were laid. Principal Rota Carrington is thrilled with the upgrade he says is desperately needed. He says the school's 18 classrooms - that once contained hospital beds - are cold, damp and the walls rotten. ``Avondale kids deserve better than this. We'll have air-conditioning and TVs in every classroom.'' The American hospital was built in 1943. Avondale Intermediate School and Technical High School (now Avondale College) opened in 1945. Mr Carrington is sure that the many myths and legends surrounding the place, including the ``blue nurse'' who wafts through the corridors, will survive the changes. He says the school will save some of the original bricks to incorporate into a design feature. - by Lauren Mentjox