Whanganui public invited for last tour of former St George’s School buildings

Groups of 10 will be able to walk through the buildings on February 11. Photo / Mike Tweed

The public has a chance to walk through buildings at Whanganui’s former St George’s School for the last time before they are demolished.

Whanganui District Council is leasing the property at 125 Grey St to health organisation Te Oranganui, to develop a wellness hub.

To make way for the new project, Palmerston North-based ARC Asbestos Removal and Demolition is deconstructing the buildings, which were constructed in 1927.

The company began work last month and has cleared the site of asbestos.

Guided tours take place on February 11.

In a statement, council chief strategy officer, Sarah O’Hagan, said tours, led by the project contractor, would take around 45 minutes each.

Group numbers were limited to 10 because of health and safety requirements, she said.

“In terms of mobility access, there are unfortunately stairs only to the upper level, so mobility access is limited to the ground floor.

“This is a viewing opportunity only – the chance to purchase items from the buildings will come later when items are put up for public sale.”

Last December, O’Hagan said there were around 770 tonnes of salvageable material at the site, and the minimum target was to salvage 90% of it.

Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust is working with the council to preserve materials from the site.

The trust started a petition against the deconstruction last June.

Co-chair Mary-Ann Ewing told the Chronicle the council was “keeping us in the loop”, and it was crucial to have the site visits.

“We’ve been asking for months to have a walkthrough, and many members of the public also want to have this chance,” she said.

“Full PPE [personal protective equipment] is fine, we just want to see what’s there.

“Then, the trust will look at their [council’s] list of what should be saved, which is shorter than our list, and see what’s best for the public.”

RC Asbestos Removal and Demolition will be working at the site until May 11. Photo / Mike Tweed

The combined cost to the council of asbestos removal, deconstruction, and interior and exterior heritage recordings is $1.379 million.

Ewing said it was important the deconstruction process was not rushed.

“We will try to do our best for the heritage materials and the memories of people in the community.

“Obviously, you can’t rewrite what’s happened, but you can manage it from here on.”

O’Hagan said bookings were essential and spaces would be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Please make sure you wear closed-toe footwear on the day. We’ll provide the required safety helmet and hi-vis vest.”

Bookings can be made by emailing Natalia.Lessa@whanganui.govt.nz

Tours begin at 8am.

Te Oranganui’s development will take place in three stages. The first two involve new buildings on the school’s former cricket field. Stage three is the creation of a wider community hub on the site of the school’s main buildings.

RC Asbestos Removal and Demolition will be working at the site until May 11.

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.