Aquinas College nets more than $200K after sale of home built for fundraiser

Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton, board chairman Scott Kahle, Jessica Phayer, Ethan Mackay, Shane and Kirsty McConnell of GJ Gardener Homes, and Kathy and Dave Goodwin. Photo/George Novak

A multi-purpose performing arts facility at Aquinas College has been given the green light after the sale of a new Pyes Pa home raised more than $200,000.

Aquinas College profited $202,159 after the four-bedroom home, built as a fundraiser for the school, sold for $825,000.

Neighbours Dave and Kathy Goodwin offered the school a $125,000 discount on a St Thomas Estate section in 2016 as a school fundraising project.

GJ Gardener Homes Tauranga agreed to build the 204sq m home at a discount of more than $40,000.

Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton said the funds would go towards three areas at the school.

Eighty per cent would go towards a multi-purpose facility with a focus on performing arts, 10 per cent would be distributed to families struggling to meet school costs, and the final 10 per cent would be spent at the principal's discretion to support immediate projects for the college.

"I want to ensure those funds are invested wisely," Dalton said.

Dalton thanked supporters including St Thomas Estate, Shane and Kirsty McConnell and the team at GJ Gardener Homes, and David and Kathy Goodwin who had made significant contributions to the project.

"There has been a lot of support for the project," Dalton said. "It underscores the strength of the college community and how it works together to achieve something for the whole of the college not just now but in the future."

The home was bought by a Tauranga husband and wife, who did not wish to be named.

The wife said she and her husband had lived in Tauranga for five years but did not have a connection with Aquinas College. However, the couple were pleased to have been able to contribute to the school.

"It is a beautiful house," the wife said. "I was happy to buy it because of the fundraising opportunity for school... It is nice to be able to contribute."

Bayleys Tauranga real estate agent Craig Orr said the house sold pre-auction and the buyers had come at the right time. "They made an offer we couldn't turn down," he said.

"It was a privilege for Bayleys and for me to have been given the opportunity to help the school out."

Former Aquinas College Board of Trustees chairman John Mackay was managing the project and was pleased the project was now complete.

He said a supporters evening on Monday was held to thank everyone involved.

"What made this so attractive was the generosity of Dave and Kathy Goodwin [and GJ Gardener Homes] which really gave the project a head start."

HOUSE SPECS:
- Single-level
- Four bedrooms
- One family bathroom, one ensuite
- Comes fully landscaped
- North-facing corner site
- Exclusive subdivision
- Close to Aquinas College
- 577sq m section