Refurbishment of the school hall was the first step in Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka’s redevelopment undertaken by Citycare Property’s Construction Team in Christchurch.
The seven-month hall renovation was completed smoothly and now the second stage of the project to build a new five-classroom block has begun, Project Manager Shane Wildermoth says.
The old classrooms were recently cleared from the site and the new build will progress over the rest of 2021.
Now that the hall is refurbished, some classes are based there while the next six stages of the two-year school redevelopment continues, Principal Lee McArthur says.
“The hall is looking fabulous and the two classes that are in there are very settled and happy,” she says.
Eventually year 5 and 6 pupils will be in the new classrooms.
An education in construction
Other classroom blocks are getting internal renovations and will incorporate flexible learning spaces and the latest technology, Lee says.
Watching what’s going on is entertainment in itself.
“The children have been engrossed with the classrooms as they have been lifted and shifted,” Lee says.
“For those that love diggers, trucks and noise – this is a dream come true!”