School's $1.4m performing arts centre

Danielle Wright and Taylor Stowell had the most important jobs of their schooling careers last night _ hosting hundreds of guests to their new $1.4 million school performing arts centre.
Unnerved by their lines, the pair were all smiles when they discovered they had been chosen from the 20 Te Puke Intermediate School ambassadors for the job. And they just love their school's new addition.
Hundreds of pupils, parents, staff and guests attended the special event, the result of a $1 million government building grant 18 months ago and fundraising activities since.
The centre will be used for drama, art, music and gymnastics, as well as daily class activities, assemblies, productions and special events.
With a capacity of 770 people, the centre was planned with the future in mind and features auditorium style seating, retractable seating and relocatable staging.
The area can also be sectioned off to create another classroom space or backstage room for stage productions.
A secondary project enabled the existing hall to be converted into a gymnasium featuring a French-imported linoleum sports floor.
Construction began on July 1 last year and marked a pivotal change for the school, which had been investigating other schools' ideas and use of space in similar ways.
"It was probably a touch of envy of what we had seen in other schools in the Waikato," principal Bruce Dalgety said.
"But now we've had visits from other schools that have funding this year and they're getting ideas from us."
Additional features are a kitchen area, recording studio and music room.
"It's great to have an architect who can see your dreams and turn them into something even better," Mr Dalgety said. "We're rapt with it."
But history is not lost _ a trophy cabinet standing in the centre's foyer is made from the rimu of the original school hall stage.
About $65,000 was raised by the local community, with significant contributions made by the New Zealand and Bay of Plenty Community Trusts and the Lion Foundation.
Education Minister Steve Maharey officially opened the new performing arts centre at the school last night.
The minister, along with principal Mr Dalgety and the chairman of the board of trustees spoke. The remainder of the evening was student-led, including performances by a gymnastics crew, rock band, waiata group and school choir.
Mr Maharey said the new centre was a great asset both for the school and the local community.
"It is essential that students have the opportunity to be involved in creative activities at every stage of their school life.
"Performing arts play an important role in building New Zealand's identity and what's happening at a community or school level is no less important than what happens at a professional level."