Wairarapa College have signed Greytown contractors Holmes Construction to build its new $4.2m hall, which is being built to cope primarily with the school's swelling roll. Back in September the original construction budget was estimated at $3.4m but has since ballooned to $4.2m due to various factors including price escalations
for raw materials like steel, Wairarapa College executive officer Maxine Bird said.
She said the cost had also been boosted after consultation with school staff and the community revealed a desire for the best possible performing space.
"We have invited comments and suggestions from the arts community and various individuals and the support from them makes us confident this venue will attract top performers to the Wairarapa," Mrs Bird said.
"The urgency of the situation and the needs of the students and their families to ensure quality education and capacity at Wairarapa College has led the board to make a brave decision to proceed with the project.
"The benefits of the wider Wairarapa region have also been taken into account and while not as urgent as the needs of the school community, it was also a factor in the board's decision."
She said the bulk of the funding for the project - $3m comes from the Ministry of Education with the balance to be made up from locally raised funds including $250,000 from Trust House Trust.
"The hall is the second stage of our performing arts centre the first was built in 2003 after an arson attack on the college saw the existing audiovisual facilities destroyed, the new facility contains a small auditorium with sound booth, dressing rooms, drama and music classrooms and practice rooms.
"The second stage of the performing arts centre will be situated on the same site as the existing hall, only it will be wider and higher, the hall will seat 1200 people and will mean that we will now be able to hold full school assemblies.
"Approximately 400 seats will be situated on the mezzanine floor features include a sound booth cum seminar room, an orchestra pit, state of the art acoustics and the ability to divide the facility for conference type events. Dismantling and demolition starts on Monday and some aspects of the existing hall are to be recycled to retain the school's heritage including the old stage, which will be built into the new structure.
"We continue to seek further funding from a range of sources and look forward to the continued support of the community to ensure the project is a success," Mrs Bird said.
Hall construction contract signed
Wairarapa College have signed Greytown contractors Holmes Construction to build its new $4.2m hall, which is being built to cope primarily with the school's swelling roll. Back in September the original construction budget was estimated at $3.4m but has since ballooned to $4.2m due to various factors including price escalations
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