End of era for Rotorua's ABC children

When the doors swing closed at ABC Rotorua next Friday, it'll be the end of an era for one of the city's longest-running childcare centres.

The centre on Ranolf St has been open more than 40 years, but the building is now more than 100 years old and the cost of much-needed repair work has meant the centre has had to find a new home.

From next Monday, the students and teachers will merge with another Kidicorp Centre - Topkids Pukuatua.

It is believed the daycare centre was opened in the 1970s when it offered overnight and weekend accommodation to children. It was then run as a privately owned daycare before ABC took over running it about four years ago.

Part of the building dates back to the original farmhouse built in the early 1900s while the "addition" was built in the 1920s.

Centre manager Lesley Gambles said while it was the end of an era, staff and children were looking forward to moving to the new centre.

"It's obvious this building is falling down ... we're looking forward to a newer, purpose-built building."

Ms Gambles said they'd stayed in the old building as long as they could, but if they stayed much longer it would become a safety issue. Kidicorp Rotorua business manager Anita Swindlehurst said because so many families had been involved with the centre over the 40-odd years, they were planning an open day next Saturday to allow past and present families to say goodbye. They could join staff packing up the centre, and help select what items would go to the new centre, she said.

Mrs Swindlehurst said they planned to move trees and mosaics and to ask parents which important parts needed to be transferred. They will be at the centre between 10am and 3pm and there will be a special celebration lunch at the new centre at 1pm.